Bamboo and Poem c. mid 18th century

Curator: Bamboo and Poem, a mid-18th century ink drawing by Miyazaki Impo, seems at first glance to exemplify literati painting traditions. Editor: Exactly! The brushstrokes are so delicate, the shading is so subtle. I’m curious though, what beyond the initial visual impression strikes you about it? Curator: The choice of materials. Ink on paper, of course, places it within a specific cultural and economic context. But look closer at the varying ink densities. Notice how the artist exploits the absorbency of the paper. What does this tell us about their approach? Editor: Well, the use of different ink densities creates depth. Is it simply a traditional technique or does it have deeper roots in labor? Curator: Precisely. The artist's expertise with these humble materials elevates them, transforming basic ink and paper into something that simulates the natural world but through intense knowledge about the behaviour of the paper fibers, and the grinding process to get different shades. In pre-industrial times, that meant labor, long hours devoted to mastering the production and deployment of ink. How does the inscription play into this, in your opinion? Editor: The calligraphy anchors the image, yet it is equally material: ground ink transferred onto paper. So, is this suggesting both manual skills and academic accomplishments of the artist, that high and low art practices coexisted, depending on skill? Curator: Precisely. It speaks to a re-evaluation of production within cultural creation. What appears as delicate art stems from labour-intensive techniques. Editor: That really changes my initial impression! The material speaks volumes once you begin to investigate its context.