The Ancient Tree Court 1871 - 1933

The Ancient Tree Court by Jian Guzhai is an ink rubbing tablet, with a gray surface and some silvery text. Imagine Jian, maybe in a contemplative mood, carefully carving into a stone block, transferring his vision of an ancient tree into a tangible form. The tree, with its gnarled branches and intricate foliage, feels alive. I think about the texture, the way the stone feels under his tools, the resistance and the yielding. There is also an atmospheric quality in the way the light plays across the surface of the rubbing, almost like a charcoal drawing. It makes me think about other artists working in China, like Xu Bing, who play with language and image. The silvery text on the tablet is really striking, it’s a nice contrast and adds another layer to the piece. Ultimately, this work, like all art, is part of an ongoing exchange, a conversation across time that allows for multiple interpretations and meanings.