The secret to understanding Qiu Shihua’s artwork lies in the time one spends with it. Almost impossible to perceive at first glance, Qiu’s nearly-white landscapes are actually painted in shades of red, blue, and yellow. Essential to the artist’s work is qiyun, or spirit resonance: as opposed to conveying a formal likeness, he aims to convey the spirit of his subject, so that it may resonate with future viewers.

© Qiu Shihua, photo: Maurice Aeschimann, Geneva