Birds and Rocks 

Ding Yanyong created "Birds and Rocks" using ink on paper, presenting a study in contrasts between line and mass. Initially, the viewer encounters a composition dominated by the monochromatic palette, where the ink's varying densities model form. The artist juxtaposes the stark white of the paper with the deep blacks and soft grays to create depth. The linear quality of the birds is sharply defined, contrasting with the amorphous, ink-wash treatment of the rocks. This contrast might destabilize traditional landscape painting, as the artist focuses on the immediate, sensory experience of form. The strategic use of empty space around the birds isolates them, inviting the viewer to consider their individual presence and their relationship to the environment. Yanyong's work seems to challenge fixed meanings, engaging with new ways of thinking about perception and representation. The brushstrokes, captured in both the rocks and plumage, exemplify a philosophical discourse between control and spontaneity.