Ink art unites two regional traditions

Bashu's Ink Charm, Xiaoxiang's Spring Hues, the title of Kong Xiangzhong's ongoing exhibition in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, reflects both his Sichuan roots and his engagement with Hunan's cultural legacy, where he is presenting his work for the first time.

Raised in Mianzhu, the ink artist drew early inspiration from its rich folk traditions, particularly the vibrant New Year woodcut paintings. His exhibition at the Zhuzhou Art Museum, running through May 26, features Chinese paintings and painted porcelains, revealing how Mianzhu's folklore fuels the boundless imagination expressed in his brushwork.

Kong's works blur the boundaries between traditional genres — landscape, flower-and-bird, and figure painting — merging them into a fluid visual language. While celebrating the vitality, optimism and resilience associated with the people of Sichuan and Hunan, he also preserves the poetic sensibility at the heart of Chinese ink art.