Ink Prunus 1700 - 1730

Gao Xiang created this Ink Prunus scroll with ink on paper during the early 18th century. As a member of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou," Gao Xiang was part of a movement of artists who rejected traditional artistic norms to express individual feelings and perspectives. Look closely and you’ll see that the plum blossom, or ‘prunus’, is a recurring motif in Chinese art, often symbolizing resilience and renewal because it blooms in winter. For many literati artists like Gao Xiang, painting wasn't just about aesthetics, it was deeply connected to their sense of self and their understanding of the world. He was known for his paintings of plum blossoms, which he often used to express his personal feelings and thoughts. The way Gao Xiang paints the plum blossoms, with a kind of stark simplicity, feels like a quiet act of defiance against the strictures of his time. This piece invites us to consider how personal expression can challenge cultural norms, and to appreciate the quiet strength found in embracing one's own path.