Ink

Ink painting together with calligraphy, constitutes one of the foundation stones of Chinese civilisations. Its contemporary manifestations, diverse as they are and richly illustrated in this publication, therefore draw deeply from the classical canon. However the aesthetic legacy derived from the those of their literati predecessors has engendered a certain lofty detachment rom the opinion of the outside world, so the contemporary ink artists feel free to confront their central challenge - how to deploy this traditional medium and its derivatives in a way that is relevant and meaningful for the modern world. This major comprehensive study of the New Ink Art at the Saatchi Gallery is therefore exceptionally timely. It coincides not only with the growing awareness of its vital contribution to contemporary Chinese culture, but in particular to the current revival of interest in artistsic fundamentals.