Blue Cat 1981

Curator: Immediately I am struck by the color – a solid block of blue set against the delicate wash of the background. There's a childlike simplicity, a freedom in its expression. Editor: Let’s contextualize a bit. What you’re observing, that naive aesthetic, is quite characteristic of Walasse Ting, the artist. "Blue Cat" which was executed in 1981 using watercolor, showcases his signature blend of Eastern and Western influences. Curator: The use of watercolor creates a wonderful sense of immediacy. But this is more than just a cute image of a feline, isn't it? What's underneath? Editor: Absolutely. Ting often explored themes of cross-cultural identity and sexuality in his work. Think about the vibrant, almost Fauvist color palette paired with a traditional Chinese brushstroke aesthetic. His position as a diasporic Chinese artist informed everything. Consider how the imagery itself functions; the cat as a representation of autonomy. Curator: I see your point. There’s a deliberate rejection of Western academic painting tradition, coupled with a conscious embrace of the freedom he found moving between cultures. Editor: Precisely. And this piece exists within a complex system, the gallery world of the 1970s and 80s where artists of color began demanding greater recognition, challenging established power structures in the art world. Ting's rise in the West should be viewed as part of this important shift. Curator: The splashes in the background, too—it all speaks to this playful breaking down of formal structures. It has a visual levity, an openness...I find it freeing, really. Editor: Yes, there's an unrestrained joy present here, an important rejection of convention which carries through to contemporary discourse in identity, freedom and cultural politics. Curator: Examining the circumstances surrounding "Blue Cat," from the artist’s personal experiences to its place in the wider movement of art, enriches my experience so much. Editor: And appreciating Ting’s biography really amplifies this delightful visual effect. His place within the ecosystem and art of the moment grants another layer of depth and impact.