Sumi Tiger - Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. Unknown

In Sumi Tiger, Virginia Cohn Parkum channels the spirit rather than the literal anatomy of the animal, allowing the tiger to emerge through velocity, rhythm, and instinctive gesture. The composition coils around a circular void near the top—an echo of the enso form—suggesting both a head-like presence and a symbolic center from which energy radiates. Around this space, assertive, angular strokes form ear-like points and bristling contours, giving the impression of alertness and latent power.

Parkum’s brushwork alternates between dense, saturated ink and dry, frayed sweeps that appear to dissolve into the paper. These shifts create the illusion of striped musculature and kinetic movement without directly describing fur or form. The body is implied through interlocking curves and diagonals that spiral downward, conveying coiled strength and readiness to spring. Rather than outlining a tiger, she evokes its essence—muscle tension, watchfulness, and feral grace.

The expressive line carries emotional weight. Some strokes snap sharply, like claws or teeth; others glide in elongated arcs, suggesting sinew and motion. Occasional warm undertones peeking through diluted ink lend a visceral quality, hinting at life beneath the surface.

Negative space plays an active role, allowing the eye to complete the figure. The tiger seems to materialize from emptiness and return to it, reinforcing a sense of presence that is both immediate and ephemeral.

Sumi Tiger stands as an embodiment of instinct and vitality. Through disciplined spontaneity, Parkum captures the animal’s inner force—the tension between stillness and sudden movement—transforming ink and gesture into a meditation on power, awareness, and the raw pulse of life.