Artwork Description

XU JIYUN
Landscape, n.d.
ink and color on paper
69 × 69 cm (27.2 × 27.2 in)

This square-format composition presents a dramatic, vertically oriented landscape in which sheer cliffs descend into a narrow, winding passage. A small village clings to the rocky terrain, its white structures subtly embedded within the surrounding geological forms. The scene is enlivened by accents of vivid blue, red, and ochre, which punctuate the otherwise naturalistic palette and intensify the sense of depth.

Xu Jiyun employs a dynamic fusion of ink wash and mineral pigment, allowing gestural passages to coexist with carefully defined spatial structures. The result is a landscape that oscillates between abstraction and representation, where chromatic energy and tonal variation guide the viewer through layered space.

The composition draws upon the shan shui tradition while expanding its expressive possibilities through heightened colour and compositional boldness. The vertical format reinforces the monumental scale of the terrain, while negative space contributes to a sense of atmospheric expansiveness.

Landscape reflects a metaphysical interpretation of nature, in which human presence is rendered small yet integral within a vast and transformative environment. The work stands as a compelling example of contemporary Chinese landscape painting engaged in dialogue with both tradition and modern expression.