Cat 

Curator: Well, I have to say, first glance? That's one serious cat. He looks like he's judging my life choices. Editor: This watercolor piece, aptly titled "Cat," is brought to us by Xu Beihong. Though undated, the work offers a compelling study in figuration through the traditional East Asian artistic lens. Note the watercolor medium expertly captures a fluffy black-and-white cat perched contemplatively beneath some leaves. Curator: Expertly is right! The brushstrokes have so much life. The leaves almost tremble. I think the minimal colour scheme enhances the moodiness, makes the feline stand out that bit more. Almost confrontational, but…in a good way? I wouldn’t want to meet that guy in a dark alley! Editor: I concur regarding your comments on Xu’s masterful use of brushstrokes. Here, we observe the principles of semiotics and post-structuralism at play in the relationship between form, sign, and meaning. The cat, a common animal figure, becomes a conduit for symbolic exchange and complex understanding of feline representation. The work can be seen through philosophical lenses. The cat in turn is an allegory for various human constructs and relations of power, nature, beauty, and indifference. The calligraphy alongside offers a key that only some can decode… Curator: Right, so it’s much more than just a fluffy critter hanging out on a roof then? For me the lack of a clear, concrete background makes him a kind of…everycat. It pushes the animal and elevates it beyond mere representation. Do you agree? It’s about attitude. Regal indifference. It has the aura and authority of a generalissimo! You know what, that cat would rule any army. Editor: Indeed. It’s where the form gives rise to complex structures, reflecting deeper insights. We must also bear in mind that it’s important that the observer should be able to find themselves reflected in the piece – even within a composition seemingly so basic! The animal motif can represent everything: existence and its endless complexities. Curator: So, next time you're feeling a bit…ordinary, take a long hard look at that cat and unleash your inner generalissimo. Purr-fect! Editor: A final nod to Xu Beihong, who with simple washes of watercolor, reveals not just a cat, but a philosophy. A singular visual expression!