Opera Figures 1973

Ding Yanyong made this dynamic painting of opera figures using ink and color on paper. The artist deftly manipulates ink, allowing it to bleed and flow across the paper to create a range of tones, textures, and shapes. Notice the thin, deliberate outlines of the figures, and the way Yanyong’s brushstrokes create depth and movement. The figures' stylized forms, facial expressions, and costumes are typical of Chinese opera. The bold brushwork, combined with the cartoonish figures, reflects the artist’s interest in the aesthetics of folk art and calligraphy, as well as the expressionist style popular at the time. By embracing these materials and techniques, Ding Yanyong created a work that bridges the gap between traditional Chinese art and modern art movements, challenging the established hierarchy that favored the former over the latter.