Fish and Frogs 1965

Ding Yanyong made "Fish and Frogs" with paint, sometime before 1978. The painting has a wonderful, earthy palette; warm browns and muted greens. It's all about layering – like artmaking as a process, you know? Looking closely, you can see the paint is thick and juicy. Ding Yanyong’s brushstrokes are really visible, especially in that white oval shape around the fish. It's almost like he sculpted the paint. The way he applied it makes the image feel alive. Those frogs at the bottom are great – blobby and kind of cartoonish, but so full of character! It puts me in mind of Guston, though maybe more playful. Both artists aren't afraid to be direct and a little messy, but it gives the painting a real sense of immediacy. It's like Ding Yanyong is saying, "Here's what I see, take it or leave it." I love that.