Shouldering ('Fu') - Liu Kuo-sung

A striking abstract work by Liu Kuo-sung, featuring bold, gestural ink forms against a radiant golden background.

Liu Kuo-sung is a central figure in the modernisation of Chinese ink painting. His work bridges traditional brush techniques with Western abstract concepts. In 'Shouldering', the artist employs his signature method of peeling away paper fibres to create white, linear textures that contrast with the dense, dark ink forms. This technique allows for a unique interplay between the physical surface of the paper and the fluid application of ink.

The composition features bold, gestural strokes of deep blue and black ink set against a luminous, golden-yellow background. These dark forms appear to float or hover, suggesting a sense of weight and tension that aligns with the title. The work avoids traditional representational forms, focusing instead on the energy of the brushwork and the material qualities of the medium. Liu often experiments with paper texture, using it as an active participant in the image rather than a passive support.

By integrating the philosophy of traditional ink wash painting with the visual language of twentieth-century abstraction, Liu creates a dialogue between past and present. The golden ground provides a warm, metallic contrast to the cool, dark ink, creating a sense of depth and atmospheric space. This piece demonstrates his ability to manipulate ink to achieve varied tonal qualities, from opaque, solid blocks to translucent, washed edges. The result is a work that feels both grounded in historical practice and contemporary in its execution. It invites the viewer to consider the relationship between the void and the solid, a recurring theme in his extensive body of work.