A Female Painter 

Editor: This is "A Female Painter" by Sanyu. It seems to be a mixed media piece, maybe ink, pencil, and oil paint on paper? It feels very… wistful. The colours are muted except for this striking red jacket. What do you see in it? Curator: Wistful is a brilliant observation! The pose is inward, almost melancholic, don't you think? It reminds me of those rainy afternoons in Parisian cafes, filled with unspoken stories. But, the boldness of that red jacket... ah, that's Sanyu, isn't it? A splash of defiant joy against the grey. It also echoes the blush on her cheek, suggesting she is lost in her thoughts but also in touch with the vitality of human connection, perhaps as he draws! It looks almost dreamlike, where thoughts and experiences mix and come out raw and true in ways that the fully formed day would usually cover up. Editor: Defiant joy… I love that! The looseness of the lines too, makes it feel like a fleeting moment captured. Did Sanyu do many portraits like this? Curator: He did indeed! But they all share this thread of vulnerability. Sanyu had such a fascinating life. A Parisian artist originally from China! A true cosmopolitan spirit who lived on the edge of several worlds. That experience is distilled in every delicate line here. Does the sitter strike you as comfortable? Do you sense an understanding between artist and subject? Editor: Hmmm, now that you mention it, no, she doesn’t seem comfortable. It’s intriguing, because at first glance it seems elegant. But, maybe there’s also a bit of… tension? I wouldn't have picked up on that! Curator: Exactly! Isn’t it remarkable how much a simple sketch can reveal? I find it remarkable how Sanyu manages to give form to these kinds of sensations using color and raw lines and paper. Editor: I’ll definitely look at Sanyu’s work differently now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Now go forth, Editor, and paint your own defiant joy on the world!