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Not Worrying About Scarcity but Worrying About Inequality

Art Appreciation

This artwork beautifully captures a simple yet profound scene of sharing and social equity. Three children are depicted in a charming, almost playful style — a boy carrying a basket overflowing with bright red apples, followed by two younger children each holding an apple. The artist’s brushwork is fluid and expressive, with confident lines that convey both motion and emotion with economy and grace. The color palette is restrained yet effective, the striking red apples contrasting sharply with the muted tones of the children's clothing and the pale, empty background, which directs all focus to the figures and their interaction.

The composition is thoughtful: the boy bends slightly forward, palms supporting the basket full of apples, while the other two reach towards him, suggesting a moment of sharing or dividing the fruit evenly. This gesture resonates with the calligraphic text above, which speaks about justice — “not fearing scarcity but fearing inequality.” The minimalist background highlights the figures and the text, emphasizing the social message over decorative detail. The entire piece evokes a gentle sense of warmth and human connection, bridging traditional Chinese brush techniques with a modern social consciousness that is as relevant today as in the past.

Not Worrying About Scarcity but Worrying About Inequality

Feng Zikai

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Date unknown

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4432 × 5760 px

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