Ink Brush Painting FLOWERS Photography
Artist Statement
Catherine S. J. Zhang
This is a series of work which I have been longing to create ever since I resumed my photography pursuit ten years ago. Prior to that time, I was very much drawn to the Ikebana flower installation of Sogetsu School, and my study of Chinese brushes paintings of flowers and birds under the late great master Zhao Shao-ang.
Whenever I look around and listen to my inner self, my strongest interest and conviction always lie in nature - in the clouds and mountains, in the trees and branches, in the leaves, flowers, and petals.
So when I resumed photography, it was only natural that I wanted to focus mainly on such subjects, and infused my photography with my personal vision combining the influence of both western and oriental arts and tradition.
In this series of work, I want to explore an exciting territory of new possibility, to strike a harmonious balance in beauty while utilizing two very different media (photography and ink brush painting) that cross over the passage of time for centuries.
The ink brush strokes in the background represent the channeling of my inner energy and impulse to create these spontaneous brush movements. With ink and brush in hand, I let my energy and intuition lead the way and record the outflow onto the rice paper. The absorbing and spongy nature of the rice paper often adds further textural dimensions and many unpredictable pleasant surprises.
On the other hand, the rendering of flower images requires great precision and technical skills especially while working with a 4x5 format camera. Decisions ranging from lighting, color saturation and focus choice, to perspective angles and composition. All elements have to be in place perfectly before instantaneously recorded with a click through the camera lens.
The challenge of this series lies in the fluid blending of the two media, which involves a strategic use of space and the incorporation of flowers within the larger construct. I sought to achieve a delicate balance between graphical composition, colors/shades and the symbiotic interaction between the two media. Ultimately, I hope that such combination of photography and brush painting transcends each medium’s individual limits and imparts upon the audience a feeling of grandness, timelessness, and elegance.
When I look at the finished large prints of this series, a total of 25 images, I believe that each print is a glimpse into the ever evolving history of paper and ink. Within each image, the juxtaposition of the ancient Eastern heritage of ink brush against the latest digital technique and printing method creates a new dimension of unparalleled possibility and beauty - a visual milestone in its own right.
I am very pleased at the results of this new addition to my collection of work, and in many ways; this series genuinely reflects the many facets that make up who I truly am.
