Old Weathered Plum Tree with Spring Blossoms, in the Manner of the Chinese Painter Wu Zhen (1280-1354) c. mid 19th century

Editor: Here we have Cho HÅ­i-ryong’s "Old Weathered Plum Tree with Spring Blossoms," a delicate ink painting reminiscent of Wu Zhen. I’m struck by how the artist uses ink washes to create such texture. What are your thoughts on this piece? Curator: Consider the materiality of the ink itself, how it was produced, traded, and valued. The monochrome palette emphasizes the artist's skill in manipulating a single material, elevating it from mere pigment to a carrier of cultural significance and artistic expression. Editor: So, it’s not just the image, but the very stuff it’s made from that matters. Curator: Exactly. This artwork invites us to think about the labour involved in creating and using the ink. It's a transformation of raw materials into something deeply meaningful. Editor: That’s a different way of seeing it! Thank you!