Yan Wu works with ink, traditional Chinese painting pigments, and mulberry silk. Her process begins with a detailed drawing, which is transferred onto silk using a tiny brush and ink. She adds colour to the background, then builds up the image in layers. After several layers, She washes the painting to remove some pigment, keeping the silk clear and translucent. Yan Wu often paints both sides to enhance clarity and detail. Sometimes, she uses calligraphic strokes to leave parts of the silk untouched; unpainted silk is essential to the composition, not empty.

In traditional Chinese art, nature is often made symbolic. For example, bamboo stands for a scholar's virtues: honesty, humility, integrity, and loyalty. It becomes a trap for meaning. Yan Wu’s work seeks to dismantle these symbols and create a new narrative. She use traditional materials and techniques, but her message is personal and contemporary.

Follow Yan Wu

https://yanwu.art

@yanwufineart