Chinese Ink Painting on Xuan Zhi. Echoes of Jaisalmer: The Mirage and the Melody is a poetic rendition of Yanli's travel memory to the deserts near the Jaisalmer fort in 2018.  It's a narrative of resilience, dreams, and the indomitable spirit of life that thrives even in the most challenging terrains. Through her masterful use of Chinese ink and a splash of color, Yanli invites the viewer to travel with her, to hear the chimes of the camel bells, and to lose oneself in the mesmerizing mirage of the desert.
 
Yanli's travel was not just a geographical journey but an emotional one. It was a travel through time, tracing the paths of ancient merchants, juxtaposed with the modern traveler. This memory finds a vivid expression in her artwork, where she harnesses the power of Chinese ink to bring alive the sand dunes of Rajasthan.  It is a confluence of memory, emotion, and artistry. It speaks of the transient nature of life, represented by the shifting sands and the journey across them. The mirage, while surreal, speaks of dreams, illusions, and the human mind's capacity to find beauty even in desolation. The camels' bells are a reminder that even in the quietest moments, there are signs of life and melodies of hope.
 
The Sand Dunes: Using bold and minimalist strokes of Chinese ink, Yanli captures the vastness and intricacy of the desert landscape. The fluidity of the ink mimics the ever-shifting sands, shaped by time and the whims of the wind. The gradations in the strokes create an illusion of depth, making the viewer feel the undulating nature of the dunes.
Camels and their Bells: While the dunes provide a serene backdrop, the journey across this vastness is represented by the camels and their bells. These bells, whenever they chime, signify life, movement, and a connection amidst the isolation of the desert. It's a sound that resonates with hope, indicating that even in this vast expanse, there's life, there's movement.
Mirage: The desert is known for its optical illusions, and Yanli captures this through the unexpected appearance of gigantic black branches and yellow blossoms from a flower tree in the sky.  This mirage breaks the monotony of the sand, offering a surreal element to the viewer. It's a testament to the desert's ability to bewilder and enchant.
Color Palette: The dominant use of black ink serves as a foundation, symbolizing the unchanging essence, the eternal bone of every form. It provides structure, be it to the dunes, the silhouette of a traveler, or the skeletal branches of the mirage tree. The sporadic bursts of yellow and its various hues introduce life and vibrancy. Yellow symbolizes the energy, the spirit of the desert, and the life that thrives amidst its adversities.