Exhibitions

People always said:’Persevere, and Heaven Will Reward Diligence’which gives diligence a positive image, no matter on personal conduct or handles affairs, perseverance is always commendable, same as in artistic creation and collection. This exhibition was inspired by the profound bond of friendship between the group founder Mr. Kao Ying Shih and Ink painting master Wang Nai Zhuang and selected over 80 pieces of works to present the diverse style of Wang Nai Zhuang.the theme can broadly be divided into 4 categories, ‘Wild and Free of Mountains and Rivers’, ‘Zen Mind, Buddha Heart’,’ Tempering the Art of Calligraphy’, and ‘Colorful Flowers and Birds’, it consists of all the themes that Wang Nai Zhuang are dedicated into, For both those encountering the artist for the first time and audiences well-versed in the profound aspects of ink painting, it is a feast of ink art.

The group founder Mr. Kao and the master Wang Nai Zhuang met in the early 90s, once at a visit to Tsinghua University, Beijing, coincidentally met Mr. Wang Nai Zhuang who was a professor of architecture at the time, at the point that both they are already over 70 years old, Mr.Kao is admired by the abundant creation of Mr. Wang, and on the other hand Mr.Wang also has a high appreciation of Mr.Kao’s dedication to the art collection. The exchange this time left a profound impression on the founder regarding contemporary ink painting, marking the artistic inception of a friendship that would endure for nearly three decades between the two people.

The founder Mr. Kao started collecting the artwork of master Wang Nai Zhuang, including the unique Landscape, Flower, and Bird Painting and also simple and solemn Buddha paintings, the calligraphy work which Wang Nai Zhuang has dedicated is also the main collection of Mr. Kao. This exhibition, meticulously curated by the curatorial team, features carefully selected masterpieces from various genres. We hope that visitors will have the rare opportunity to appreciate these masterful works and immerse themselves in the serene world of ink wash during this special exhibition.

Theme 1: The Ink Master Wang Nai Zhuang

Wang Nai Zhuang, born in 1928 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, is descended from the Eastern Jin Dynasty's calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi. His grandfather, Wang Fu An, was a renowned poet, calligrapher, and one of the principal seal engravers of the Repbulic of China's national great seal and seal of honor (now housed in the Presidential Office of the Republic of China). He was also one of the founders of the "Xi Han Seal Society," a prominent society for inscription and seal carving in Hangzhou with a history of over a century. Inherited from his family, Wang Nai Zhuang developed a deep passion for Chinese calligraphy and painting. In 1947, he enrolled in the Shanghai School of Fine Arts, where he focused on Western painting. Later, in 1949, he transferred to the National Beiping Art School (later merged into the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing). In 1953, he graduated from the painting department, having received personal guidance from masters such as Liu Hai Su, Xu Bei Hong, and Wu Zuo Ren. In the same year, he was appointed as a professor at the Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing.

In 1960, Mr. Wang Nai Zhuang formally acknowledge Li Ku Chan as his master to learn the ink painting. to discover more and more about traditional ink painting, he started to study calligraphy, as a result his painting style shifted from Western to traditional ink painting. According to Wang Nai Zhuang once said that he is also deeply effected by Buddhism master Hong I, he is interested in Zen, therefore beside traditional calligraphy and landscape ink painting, Buddhism theme is also often seen in his work.

Mr. Wang Nai Zhuang has always teaching at Tsinghua University, Beijing, except his contribution to the education, he also never stop his art creation. His art work are based on his well-educated Western oil painting and integrate with the spirit of Chinese traditional ink painting and consistently pursuing the novelty, not just follow the traditional value of emphasizing the lines in painting, therefore no matter in his painting or calligraphy,both has a style of rough , elegant and implicit qualities.

Theme 2: Wild and Free of Mountains and Rivers

Master Wang Naizhuang was born into a family steeped in the tradition of Chinese calligraphy and painting. Immersed in Chinese art from a young age, he was influenced by it. During his youth, after apprenticing under several masters of both Chinese and Western art, including Liu Haisu and Xu Beihong, he continued to develop within the context of Western painting. However, a turning point came for the master when, by chance, he encountered the works of the Song Dynasty's Liang Kai, particularly the "Splashed Ink Daoist Immortal," as well as the finger-painting pieces by Gao Qipei from the Qing Dynasty. Admiring how traditional Chinese painting could capture such freedom through simple lines and ink variations, he began actively studying the works of masters from various historical periods.

At the end of the 80s, Master Wang learned more about ink painting from Chinese ink painting master Huang Bing Hong, he was deeply moved by the content and decided to start his three-year training for himself, the first year is to broadly appreciate other artists’ work, second-year start to sketching nature scenery and mountains, final year is about self-cultivation, according different period time accumulated his foundation of ink painting. gradually when he was over 70 years old, he created a new path of creation, on this path, his abundant observation of nature provided him a solid foundation for painting, and between the lines, there was the spirit of Zen.

Master Wang’s work emphasizes the spirit of Zen, wild and free, through elderly Bing Hong’s three methods of training himself, he started to use color in ink painting, he is good at using color to create warmth and cold atmosphere, to emphasize nature more than a human trace, among green scene to express his imagine of great nature.

Theme 3 : Tempering the Art of Calligraphy

In the case of Master Wang Naizhuang, his proficiency in calligraphy can be regarded as yet another consistent achievement. As is well-known, he hails from a scholarly family background, with his grandfather, Wang Fu'an, being one of the founders of the "Xiling Seal Society" in Hangzhou. Thus, from a young age, he immersed himself in calligraphy before later transitioning to the study of painting. Whether at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts or later at the Beijing Academy of Fine Arts, Master Wang Naizhuang focused primarily on Western painting. It wasn't until the 1960s, when he became a disciple of the esteemed master Li Kuchan, that he truly connected with calligraphy.

Li Ku Chan emphasizes that calligraphy and ink painting are from the same origin, to learn the concept of ink painting, one must have been thorough in the training of calligraphy. To Master Wang Nai Zhuang at the time, his time has already occupied by reading, traveling, sketching, and painting, he could only use the silent nighttime to practice his skill of calligraphy and it took him several decades.

Master Wang Nai Zhuang thinks that practicing Chinese calligraphy must have a profound foundation of literature, otherwise, you could not write decent calligraphy. Therefore even though he started his journey of ink painting and calligraphy in his 60s, he remained calm and composed to cultivate his literature knowledge and views by traveling, continually appreciating other artworks, and practicing to elevate his skills in calligraphy, practicing and learning through day and night, you could see his style in his work, it is never too late to start.

Theme 4 : Zen Mind, Buddha Heart

The growing environment of an artist is relatively significant, Master Wang Nai Zhuang‘s mother was devout to Buddhism and Master Wang accompany his mother to Lin Yin Temple to worship, after learning painting, he was moved by Master Hon I (Li Su Ton)’s achievement, and start to visit all the old temple, to feel and observe the Buddha statue to learn the formative arts and color application of ancient time, gradually feel respectful and start to do more research and creation of Buddhism.

In Chinese art, the depiction of Buddhist images is a diverse and ever-changing theme that revolves around the continuous interaction between divinity and humanity. The facial features of Buddhist statues not only vary with the skills of the painter but also change according to the viewer's mindset. Master Wang Nai Zhuang deeply understands this concept. Instead of strictly adhering to legendary images, he prefers to base his depiction of Buddhist statues on extensive observation and reading. He collects hand-painted Buddhist rubbings, selects the best ones for emulation, and also gathers ancient Buddha sculptures, observing them daily. He embraces opportunities to absorb the finest pieces left by his ancestors, believing that a profound cultural accumulation is a necessary condition for becoming a successful artist.

The Buddhist painting of Master Wang Nai Zhuang has significant differences from traditional artists. He cleverly uses his sketching skills from a Western painting background, integrating with Chinese ink painting to build his path of creation. In his works, one can observe a rich sense of mottled beauty and its divine essence. The composition of Buddhist scriptures and statues, along with the vivid coloring of details, brings out a touch of modernity in a distinctive yet highly reasonable manner. The solemn face of the Buddha, at first glance, exudes a transcendent and saintly aura. Upon closer examination, one can discern the lively spirit brimming with wisdom and universal love. The sacred and mundane are united harmoniously and naturally, creating a sense of innate perfection.

Theme 5 : Colorful Flowers and Birds

Colorful Flowers and Birds paintings are the most outstanding type of Master Wang’s work. He started to learn about calligraphy with Li Ku Chan at the end of his 60s, he did not just follow the traditional ways of painting, emphasizing the lines and composition, he successfully integrated ink painting and oil painting skills, to add more structure and color, to blend this two style vividly and create a unique modern style in ink painting.

Color ink brings life to Master Wang’s flowers and birds in painting, the color specifically presents the beauty of flowers and birds. Master Wang is good at capturing the figure of birds, flowers, and nature, based on his profound sketching skills accumulated over the years, and his training in Western painting allows him to observe from different angles and present the beauty of nature.

The master's emphasis on the scientific aspects of Western painting is evident in his depictions of flowers and birds. The feathers and postures of the animals are clearly defined in the paintings. Amidst the interplay of ink and colored pigments, these intricate details of flowers and birds seamlessly integrate into the artwork without appearing abrupt, perfectly harmonizing with the overall composition.