Hug 拥抱


Hug | Stone Rubbing with Silver Leaf

A stone rubbing with silver leaf depicting a female figure embracing an abstract form, inspired by the philosophy of scholar’s stones in Chinese tradition. Just as these stones are valued for their natural imperfections and unique shapes, this work reflects the idea of self-acceptance—embracing one’s flaws as part of one’s inherent beauty and strength. The gesture of the figure mirrors the way scholars admired and contemplated these stones, finding wisdom and harmony in their irregular forms.



The Perfect Flaws


Wandering through my father’s collection feels like walking through a forest of stone. The smell in the air is special to me. Gradually, I fell in love with these stones of all forms. Some are unyielding and resilient, others smooth and gentle like water. Some seem to be as light as drifting clouds, while others are dark and dense like sumi ink. They all look so different and all seem to have been through a lot. The holes, the edges and the fractures are showing the work of time. All those things that seem to be the flaws have become the beauty in one's eye. Man says it’s the flaws that make it so perfect.


 Learning stone rubbing has been life changing for me. I start to have a more intimate connection with those stones. I love to feel how the temperature change in my hands and feel the shape of them, harsh or smooth, sharp or rounded. The most intriguing part is getting those intricate and elusive 

  patterns with the rubbing technique. In my time I spent with them, I saw the vastness of the universe and, through that, I caught a glimpse of my own soul.


 Stone rubbing is spiritual practice for me. It is a process that requires a lot of time and patience. I see myself talking to the stone, touching the stone, rubbing the stone and somehow becoming a part of the stone. Feeling the stone from its shape to the most finest texture is so calming and relaxing. And I want you to feel it too.

I want to bring my vision of the spirit of stone through stone rubbing and recreation. Using the flaws to create as a gesture of acceptance. 
Yinghan Zhang. 
{Stone Artist.Printmaker}