Islands

Inscription: In the summer of the year Bingwu [1966], Shangpu

This painting is among those in Chang's series of studies in which she aimed to realistically depict Hong Kong Bay, one of her favorite subjects. Homesickness and longing to see her mother, whom Chang had left behind in Shanghai during the Communist takeover of the mainland, inspired her to paint ocean scenes. This composition consists of huge interlocking rocks embracing the bay, with fi shing boats heading out to the ocean in the distance. By varying the intensity of the colors and ink washes, Chang was better able to modulate her long, even, graceful lines to convey the sense of the rocks embracing the shore.