Watermelon

Inscribed by the artist:
In the morning I saw a small album by Luo Lianggeng. Among the leaves is a watermelon painted with light and effortless brushwork. It is indeed a divine and wonderful piece. [Distinct from Luo's version] I used my clumsy brush to paint a watermelon, which reflects my interest in simplicity. Linlu paints and records this on a hot, humid summer day in 1978.

This rendition of a cut-up watermelon is accompanied by an inscription in running cursive script. The painting and calligraphy have been integrated into a single composition. The radiating seeds of the fruit echo the strokes and ink of the writing. The intense red is a reminder of the smothering heat of the season as well as the relief that the fruit provides. A juicy, cold slice of ripe watermelon would be the perfect refreshment for the type of summer day the artist describes in his inscription. Broad applications of diluted ink and light yellow pigment depict the skin. Xu allowed the washes to blend, creating a blurry effect.