Where some scrolls demand attention, this one simply keeps it. Pandas at ease among bamboo, rendered in ink wash, calm and assured. The panda has always been a favorite subject, and you can see why — it carries the whole scroll. You'll notice bamboo and ink wash woven through the composition, giving the eye somewhere to wander.
The ink wash manner suits the subject perfectly — a few tones of black ink carry the whole scene. The symbolism is part of the pleasure: bamboo stands for resilience and upright character — it bends without breaking. The coloring is ink tones and soft grays, in the mineral-pigment manner that ages gracefully. Negative space does half the work — the empty silk around bamboo lets the subject breathe. The traditional silk mounting finishes it — no frame needed, nothing to add.
If you collect panda pieces, this one earns its place. Collectors of panda silk wall art will find this one easy to live with. It is a fine example of bamboo and ink wash Chinese painting, the kind of piece that grows on you.
