Hello again! It’s Brooke the intern, back with another look at the South Gallery’s latest show. I love traditional Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, and Ni Kang is clearly a master of both the precision and expression of brush strokes.
I find her interpretation of the world to be so generous. Sometimes it’s easy to view things through a cynical lens—especially these days. But when I look at The Amphitheater, I see the most beautiful city, full of promise: Columbia. Kang simplifies and stylizes the world and makes you want to live wherever she’s painting, which makes it even more exciting when you realize you already live there! The contrast between the sharp, small brush strokes and the wild, larger ones draws your eye to the intricacies of the stage and city. The trees appear lush and unruly, while the buildings in the background feel almost too buttoned-up.
Ni Kang, The Amphitheater
That same endearing tone is present in Doggy’s Mountain, a playful painting of an adorable dog in the style of a scenic landscape. The dog’s scruffy ear becomes the summit, while its rounded back forms the hills and valleys. Seeing such a cute and modern subject in this traditional format is intriguing because it subverts expectations. The dog’s expression is just one example of the humor and wit woven throughout Ni Kang’s show—her art is truly a hoot!
Ni Kang, Doggy Mountain
The charm and intimacy of these pieces are reflected throughout the rest of the show. Each work strikes a balance between the mundane and the regal. As you explore Ni Kang’s new exhibition, I hope you feel the same sense of simple peace that I did while spending time with her art.
View the rest of the exhibition here
