Hazy moon 2017

Dayou Lu made this painting, Hazy Moon, using ink and colour on paper, now in the Shanghai Museum. Look at the way the owl is built up from layers of simple marks; it’s not about perfection, it’s about the energy of seeing, of making. The texture of the paper and the fluidity of the ink create a sense of depth, like looking into mist. The black ink is so dense in places, and then so sparse, like it's breathing. See the yellow of the eyes and talons? These details make the whole image vibrate. It reminds me of a Cy Twombly, but with more feathers. This piece feels like a conversation across time, echoing traditional Chinese painting while also bringing something totally new. Art isn't about answers, it's about questions, and this one keeps me looking.