In traditional Chinese landscape painting, attention is often drawn to the majestic landscape itself. Yet, it is in the scantily described miniature figures that the soul of a landscape painting resides. Playing neither a dominating nor a supplementing role, they encapsulate the painter’s intent and serves as his magic wand that turns the painting into an idealised place for travelling, gazing, roaming and dwelling. Engaging in disparate activities, these figures venture deep into nature, communing with it and giving life and meaning to the painting. Far from random ornaments, they personify the painter besides embodying his musings and inclinations.
Featuring a fine selection from the Chih Lo Lou Collection, the exhibition zooms in on figures in Chinese landscape paintings to reveal their identities, stories and cultural significance. Following the ink marks as leads, visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore how these tiny beings, reclusive, cynical or otherwise, are transformed into the protagonists of the landscape narratives.