Zhoushan Harbour 1980

Wu Guanzhong made this painting, Zhoushan Harbour, with oil on canvas. It’s interesting to think about this piece as a process, with the artist making decisions on the fly about which marks to lay down first. Look at the way the paint seems to be applied in thick strokes, creating a textured surface. You can almost feel the weight of the boats and water with the density of the paint. It's pretty cool how Guanzhong used these blues and greens to evoke a sense of calm. Check out the vertical marks that form the masts of the boats. They’re like a series of exclamation points, adding a sense of movement. This painting reminds me of some of the work of Joan Mitchell, in the way that the artist uses color and gesture to create a sense of space. It’s not about capturing an exact image, but more about creating a feeling. It’s like the artist is saying, “Here’s what it felt like to be in Zhoushan Harbour.”