pic01177 Wenxin Zang

Here we see a landscape rendered in thick, impasto brushstrokes, conveying a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. The composition is dominated by dense foliage at the upper portion, obscuring any clear sky or distant horizon. These trees are not depicted with botanical accuracy; instead, they function as masses of color – predominantly greens, blues, and grays – contributing to an overall feeling of enclosure and perhaps even oppression.
Below the foliage, a constructed element – likely a bridge or retaining wall – cuts across the horizontal plane. This structure is rendered in angular blocks of ochre, brown, and gray, sharply contrasting with the organic forms above. The artist has used distinct planes and abrupt transitions to emphasize its artificiality and solidity. A pool of water reflects the light filtering through the trees, creating a focal point that draws the eye downwards.
The color palette is restrained but impactful. While greens and blues dominate, flashes of orange and yellow within the structure and reflected in the water introduce warmth and visual interest. The limited range of colors contributes to a somber mood, while the bold application of paint suggests an underlying energy or tension.
The artist’s technique – the visible brushstrokes and textural layering – suggests a focus on subjective experience rather than objective representation. It is not so much about depicting a specific place as it is about conveying a feeling associated with that place – perhaps one of confinement, contemplation, or even melancholy. The deliberate distortion of perspective and the simplification of forms further reinforce this sense of emotional expression over realistic depiction.
The inscription at the bottom provides context: Rainy Day Stone Bridge, dated 1983, and identifying it as a pastel painting. This information adds another layer to the interpretation; the “rainy day” likely contributes to the subdued atmosphere, while the “stone bridge” suggests a connection to human construction and perhaps a sense of permanence or resilience amidst the natural elements.