“Bamboo Bird” by Huang Huanwu

HUANG Huanwu (1906-1985) was a painter from Xinhui, Guangdong province. He was a member of the Guangzhou Museum, dean of the Suzhou Academy of Fine Arts, dean of the Shanghai Yanyu Painting Academy, member of the Chinese Artists Association, director of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Artists Association, librarian of the Shanghai Museum of Literature and History and painter with the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy.

Since his childhood, Huang Huanwu was a prolific painter. He kept honing his skills and learned different painting techniques. He was taught by GAO Jianfu and GAO Qifeng. He traveled widely abroad before settling down in Shanghai.

This artwork is unfolded in a slender and long scale, depicting a green bamboo growing upwards, accompanied by a thin bamboo and three or two twigs. Huang Huanwu uses thick ink for the bamboo leaves in the foreground whereas the ones in the background are painted with light ink, highlighting the layering of the picture.

A blue bird prepares to fly off the bamboo. The luster of its feathers is all portrayed by Huang Huanwu using his “contrast color method”. The contrast between the vigorous green bamboo and the light bird is ingenious and harmonious.

Huang Huanwu, “Bamboo Bird”, 96.5×45 cm, Collection of the China Art Museum (Shanghai Art Museum)