Sep-73 Circular painting mounted as a hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, with artist's dated signature

Curator: Fong Chung-Ray created this intriguing work, “Sep-73,” in 1973; it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's imposing; the monochromatic color palette and dramatic composition evoke a sense of turbulence and perhaps even environmental crisis. Curator: Fong's work often employs abstraction to capture the essence of natural forces; the circular format here suggests a microcosm of the world. Editor: Yes, and viewed through a contemporary lens, the stark contrasts might be interpreted as highlighting the precarious balance between human activity and ecological sustainability. Curator: The ink and color wash technique lends itself beautifully to conveying the fluidity and dynamism that the artist captures. Editor: Indeed, Fong's symbolic language feels deeply relevant today, prompting reflections on power, fragility, and resilience. Curator: A truly evocative piece that manages to be both timeless and urgently contemporary. Editor: It does urge one to reconsider our place within the larger systems at play.