Victoria Gallery Launches “Fifty Shades of Ink” Exhibition Showcasing Ancient Art

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is set to unveil an exciting new exhibition titled Fifty Shades of Ink on December 6, 2023. This showcase will highlight both historical ink paintings and the tools used to create them, celebrating the rich legacy of ink as an expressive medium.

More than 1,200 years ago, the Tang-dynasty scholar Zhang Yanyuan emphasized that ink possesses a vast spectrum of expressive qualities influenced by water, pressure, gesture, and tone. His insights remain relevant today, deeply influencing contemporary artistic practices. The exhibition seeks to capture this essence, presenting works that have often been stored away and unseen for years.

Curator of Asian art, Dr. Heng Wu, expressed her surprise at the strength of the gallery’s ink painting collection. “Most of these works had been sleeping in storage for years, even decades,” she stated in an email interview. The exhibition marks a significant opportunity for the gallery to showcase its extensive collection beyond the limited space of the newly inaugurated Asian Art Gallery.

Zhang Yanyuan’s contributions to the art world are noteworthy. His landmark ninth-century text documented artists, techniques, and aesthetics, coining the principle that “ink has five shades.” This foundational idea continues to guide ink painting practices and informs modern interpretations of the medium. Dr. Wu creatively chose the title Fifty Shades of Ink to reflect the ongoing relevance of these ancient concepts in today’s art scene.

In contemporary visual culture, the echoes of traditional ink theory are apparent. Dr. Wu noted, “We can see the traces of ink concepts in graphic novels, animation, and digital brush engines.” The bold outlines, varied strokes, and strategic use of negative space in modern art are direct descendants of ideas first explored in ink painting.

The opening day will feature a special Mandarin-language panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Wu, which will include local artists Xuan Yongsheng, Li Zhenjun, and Su Jiangang. These artists actively engage with the principles behind ink painting in their own work. The panel will take place from 11:00 to 13:00 and will be recorded for later viewing with English subtitles.

Gallery admission on December 6 will be free from 10:00 to 17:00 as part of the gallery’s Feel Free – Free Gallery Days initiative, supported by TD Bank Group. This outreach aims to encourage community engagement and make the arts accessible to a broader audience.

Dr. Wu hopes visitors will take the time to observe the nuances in ink painting. “I hope people notice the way a line unfolds or folds, the strokes repeat or vary, the way water settles into ink, or ink settles into paper,” she remarked. “When you start noticing these details, the whole painting opens up in a very rewarding way.”

As the gallery prepares for this significant exhibition, the anticipation is building for an event that promises to bridge ancient artistry with contemporary relevance, inviting audiences to explore the depths of ink’s expressive capabilities.