Daniel Galas blogs about the work of Wu Guanzhong, recently on view in the exhibition Revolutionary Ink: The Paintings of Wu Guanzhong at the Asia Society, New York.

"What is so striking about Guanzhong's work is that it is so fresh, simple, modern, and ancient. It is amazing how he has transformed traditional Asian art practices into modern masterpieces without being self conscious or straining too hard to do so. Wu's art effortlessly switches back and forth from impeccable draftsmanship to total abstraction… Wu Guanzhong's art has a very calming and refreshing effect and it demonstrates the possibility of an expert representational painter successfully integrating abstraction."