Bird and Lotus 

Ding Yanyong made "Bird and Lotus" using ink on paper, materials that have a rich cultural history in China. The ink is applied with deft, practiced brushstrokes, modulating from deep blacks to subtle grays. The image is constructed through different saturations of ink and brushstrokes, where he captures the textures and shapes of the lotus leaves and bird with a sense of immediacy. This style of painting is rooted in calligraphy, where the character of the brushstroke is as important as the image it creates. The skill comes from years of training to master the tools and the techniques of ink painting, with an emphasis on capturing the essence of the subject. Ding Yanyong, like many artists of his time, was trained in this traditional practice but broke with the tradition by exploring new subjects, styles, and techniques. When we consider this work, it is important to remember that the meaning of any artwork is always tied to the materials, the making, and the context in which it was created.