The Willow in Winter 1997

Li Huasheng made this ink painting of a willow tree in winter, sometime around 1997. It's all about the brushstrokes, isn't it? The way they kind of drip and pool, how the ink bleeds into the paper. Look at the trunk of the willow. It’s like a dark, almost brooding presence, anchoring the whole scene. The branches reach out, but they’re bare, skeletal. See the way the artist let the ink run, creating these subtle gradations? It’s not just about depicting a tree, but capturing a feeling, a mood. This piece reminds me of the work of Brice Marden, especially his drawings, where he’s exploring the possibilities of line and form with such simplicity. It's a reminder that art isn’t about perfection; it’s about the messy, beautiful process of seeing and feeling. It’s about embracing the ambiguities, the things we can’t quite put into words.