Artists re-create gongbi spirit with a contemporary approach

The highly realistic style of gongbi painting (meticulous brushwork) began to form some 2,000 years ago and created brilliance in Chinese art. Even though it is in decline today, contemporary artists are trying to enliven it with experimental approaches.

Among the established artists who make endeavors is Jiang Ji'an. The Beijing-based artist uses tea leaves to produce pigments for painting and then uses them to create small installations.

He then pairs the paintings and installations together to form a work that conveys a scholarly temperament that was hailed in Song Dynasty paintings.