Cui Fei, "Read by Touch II - 2002," 2015

Born in Jinan, China, Cui Fei has been based in New York for over 20 years. Her work is inspired by nature, her favored materials being natural materials such as vines, twigs and tendrils that she gathers herself. Deeply responsive to aspects of traditional Chinese culture and philosophy, Cui Fei recognizes the essential role of calligraphy in the development of Chinese civilization and uses it as a constant reference for whatever form her work takes. In "Read by Touch II – 2002," thorns from black locust trees, honey locust trees, and rose bushes are presented in horizontal lines representing units of time. The invitation to read by touch emphasizes the possibility of a painful encounter with the wickedly sharp thorns, framed by the artist as calligraphic lines of text. There is a tension between the irregular forms of the thorns, each one unique, and the rigid way in which they are arranged.

Thorns on paper. Framed.