Ink Unbound: Paintings by Liu Dan

Liu Dan is one of China’s most renowned living artists, translating his fastidious observations of the world around him into ink through fresh ideas about composition and original brushstroke techniques. This expansive selection of his recent paintings—meticulous and unexpected landscapes, rocks, and still-lifes—showcase both his technical virtuosity and unrestrained imagination.

Uniquely classical yet refreshingly contemporary, Liu’s paintings blend his deep appreciation of the Western art canon with the 2,000-year-old heritage of Chinese painting. Artistic traditions become a point of departure as Liu resists schematized brush techniques and stagnant notions of great art in favor of a new visual language all his own. “Ink Unbound” captures Liu’s remarkable contributions to contemporary Chinese ink painting while also offering a contemplative experience for all viewers.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.