The Chinese painting technique baimiao (plain-outline) produces a finely controlled, supple ink line drawing without color or wash embellishment. It is commonly used in traditional figure painting for its precise descriptive function. To the ordinary baimiao painter, the predominant concern is to use lines to define and describe the subject matter. For a more gifted painter, he is able to add feelings and emotions through the undulation, intensity and tonal variation of his lines. To the classical masters such as Wu Daozi and Li Gonglin, however, the usage of line is beyond mere technical repertoire. Baimiao is above all a philosophical concept.

Hong Kong artist Wong Yeeki is one of the few ink painters working primarily in the baimiao genre. Moving away from colorful works since her 2011 exhibition, Wong has successfully developed a new individual expression in the most abbreviated manner. Her comparative studies in the relationship between Western sketches and Chinese biamiao led to her discovery of the essence of the Chinese genre – Zen drawing. In biamiao , the act of tracing the line is in itself meditative. It forces the artist to abolish all mundane thoughts and expectations. What precedes is as unimportant as what follows. One must focus on the present moment with maximum concentration. It is a process-oriented technique that produces unexpected results. For Wong, the resulting works are juxtaposition of ancient ideals and contemporary anecdotes. She traces the composition of ancient paintings then paints over them with new motifs from her imaginary world. The overlapping lines create visual confusion. It requires the audience to look between and beyond the lines to “find” the logical scene. Sometimes coherence and at times chaotic, Wong's painting presents a new dynamic composition that is manipulative and meditative. Like the artist's creative process, the audience must focus on one point at a time, proceeding with utmost concentration.

By tracing the compositions of ancient anonymous painting, Wong Yeeki attempts to give new life and recognition to these works. Rather than simply filling in the gaps with new motifs, Wong introduces a new method of perception to her works. Most importantly, in addition to the technical merits of biamiao , Wong brings forth the philosophical essence of the genre.

-Henry Au-yeung

-Grotto Fine Art

Image: © Wong Yee Ki
Courtesy of the artist and Grotto Fine Art