Ghost Woodblock print; ink on pi zhi bast paper

Curator: Chen Haiyan's striking woodblock print, "Ghost," from 1986, immediately conjures a feeling of unease, doesn't it? Stark black lines against a pale background, a figure in bed, and those... are they tigers looming above? Editor: Indeed. The composition, with its stark contrast and somewhat surreal imagery, evokes a sense of existential dread. It's fascinating how Chen Haiyan uses the motif of the ghost here. The gaze, the perspective, and the floating tigers are unsettling—perhaps symbolic of power structures, anxieties, or even the specter of social control. Curator: I see them more as figments, you know? Like the mind playing tricks, especially during those late-night, restless moments. We've all been there, haven't we? The tigers could be manifestations of personal fears, lurking just out of reach. Editor: Perhaps, but in the context of the mid-1980s in China, one could also interpret those "tigers" as commentary on political realities. The artist might be reflecting on the individual’s powerlessness against overwhelming forces. Curator: That's a compelling reading. Ultimately, the power of this work lies in its ambiguity, inviting us to project our own interpretations onto its stark imagery. Editor: Absolutely. It serves as a potent reminder that even in the quietest of moments, we are never truly free from the weight of history and society.