I’ve been fascinated with Chinese and Japanese hanging scrolls for a while now. Ancient Chinese landscapes have
had a particular influence on me artistically. I originally began exploring them because they were one of the few examples of visual art representing nature in a portrait aspect ratio (vertical) rather than in a landscape one (horizontal). It was apparent from the first that my work shared other things as well. I certainly realized that the impetus of my work shares much with Taoist philosophy. But the physical presentation of these paintings as hanging scrolls was equally as interesting to me.

While in Minneapolis a while back I made sure to get to the Institute of Art where they have a wonderful Asian art section. Not only were there examples of ancient scrolls, but also contemporary ones. I learned that in Japanese culture scrolls are changed seasonally. This can only easily be done with a piece that can be easily hung and taken down as well as stored. Ah, the possibilities!

My first attempt at work presented as a scroll is Sawtooth Lake. The Lake sits at an altitude of 8,435’ in the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho. My answer to the traditional use of patterned silk framing a central piece in ink on rice paper is a strong juxtaposition of two styles, both painted on separate canvas panels then sewn together. In the center panel is seen a view down into the lake from a dizzying height The only indication of sky is its reflection on the lake. The top panel is a loose rendition of the top of the ridge above the lake. This is very much influenced in style by the ancient paintings. Finally, in the bottom panel one can just pick up on a continuation of the pine needle and water motif from the center panel.  

If you are interested in learning more about ancient Chinese painting, my go to book on the subject has been Three Thousand Years of Chinese Painting. This is a group effort by several authors, one of whom, James Cahill, has a wonderful video series called A Pure and Remote View.

This is one of my favorite hanging scrolls.

Travelers by Streams and Mountains by Fan Kuan, ink on silk, ca. 1000

~Henry