Yang Liu

Tiger Eye explores a quiet meeting of East and West, realism and subtle organic distortion. Inspired by the real Tiger Eye Viola, the flower’s stems are elongated and its blooms multiplied, inspired by the flowing lines of traditional brush calligraphy and modern floristry.

Each petal begins with Chinese xuan paper, washed in watercolor and veined by hand with a tiny calligraphy brush using Chinese ink pigments. Reinforced with German crepe paper and structured with Japanese floral wire, the form balances delicacy and strength. This piece continues my exploration of cross-cultural materials. The mica-infused xuan reveals a subtle sparkle as the light shifts, rewarding close viewing.

An integrated hanging mechanism allows the work to float against the wall, reinforcing a floating, dreamlike presence.

Title: Tiger Eye Gold
Dimensions: 14 x 16 x 2 inches
Materials: Xuan paper, crepe paper, watercolor, ink, wire