Poem on retirement 1327 - 1387

Song Ke created "Poem on Retirement," a work using ink on paper, sometime in the 14th century. At first glance, one is struck by the calligraphic dance across the scroll, where each character, rendered in fluid ink, asserts its presence through varying thickness and dynamic strokes. The overall composition invites a reading not just of the poem itself, but of the visual rhythm established between the dense clusters of text and the breathing space around them. The materiality of the ink, its subtle gradations from deep black to faded grey, speaks to the artist's mastery of control and chance. This interplay between intention and accident destabilizes fixed meanings, inviting viewers to reflect on the transient nature of life. The structure of the poem, presented in this deliberate calligraphic form, echoes philosophical concerns about temporality and the artist’s personal journey toward serenity. The artwork encourages ongoing interpretation, as the ink continues to settle into the paper, marking the passage of time.