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Fifty Shades of Ink

Ink Paintings from the AGGV Collection

“Ink has five shades” (墨分五色) is a foundational principle in the tradition of Chinese ink painting. First articulated in the 9th century by the artist and art historian Zhang Yanyuan, this idea has shaped both the creation and appreciation of ink art for over a thousand years. It reveals the expressive power of ink, which, through the subtle interplay with water and the dynamic engagement of the brushstroke, can unfold into works rich in depth, texture, and tonal variation. In the hands of a skilled artist, the shifting shades of ink become vessels of emotion and vitality, transcending color to reveal a polychrome world within monochrome.

Taking inspiration from this classical principle, Fifty Shades of Ink expands the idea, suggesting that the potential of ink is endlessly nuanced. This exhibition draws from the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s rich collection of Asian ink paintings to celebrate the expressive possibilities of the medium. Also on view are historical ink sticks and ink stones, offering insight into the material and cultural heritage behind this timeless art form.