Professor CSA Print Yi Ming 028 Yi Ming

The artwork presents a wintry landscape rendered in muted earth tones – primarily browns, ochres, and grays – with subtle washes suggesting atmospheric perspective. Here we see a scene dominated by bare trees, their branches reaching upwards against a hazy sky. The ground is covered with snow, partially obscured by fallen leaves and withered vegetation. A small body of water, likely a stream or pond, reflects the somber light, its surface broken by the presence of several dark birds in flight.
The composition directs attention towards the center of the scene where the trees converge, creating a sense of depth while simultaneously enclosing the viewer within the landscape. The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke, particularly evident in the depiction of foliage and branches, which contributes to an overall feeling of melancholy and stillness. The birds, positioned both near the water’s surface and soaring above, introduce a dynamic element that contrasts with the otherwise static quality of the scene.
Subtexts within this work appear to revolve around themes of transience and resilience. The bare trees symbolize dormancy and the passage of time, while the snow signifies purity but also isolation. The presence of birds suggests hope or perhaps an acceptance of change – their flight implies movement and a potential for renewal even in the face of winter’s harshness.
The inscription at the bottom, written in what appears to be Asian calligraphy, likely provides contextual information about the works origin or meaning; however, without translation, its specific contribution remains inaccessible. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the beauty found within moments of apparent desolation.