I've been thinking , how does Chinese contemporary art treat its own traditions from different angles and aspects? When studying Buddhist statues in the Northern and Southern Dynasties during my PhD, I got some inspiration, if we regard Buddha statues and votive texts as an image/text system of works of art, then images and texts are mutually externalized and interpreted. I applied this "Image & Text" system to my own creation. Also, I decided to combine the western painting training I received in the past and use the contemporary art method to create, explored traditional culture in a contemporary way.
In my creations, my work takes on a recognizable form - "Amulet" and "Wish"(my creations are double sided). "Amulet" is the image, an independent symbol system with specific meaning. When deciding on the picture, I firmly chose a contemporary form. I usually use rice paper, ink and other water-based materials, but the form is not figurative or meticulous. In order to interpret the "Amulet"(符), I constructed a corresponding interpretation system based on Chinese Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism -- the "Wish"（祝）, which is hidden behind the picture(usually viewers watching the exhibition won't see it). Most of the writing system(Wish) are often inspired by Buddhist scriptures and ancient books. However, the content of Wish is related to the current events. In other words, my works integrate "poetry, painting and calligraphy" into a whole, looking for a contemporary expression in Chinese traditional elements. "Amulet" and "Wish" complement each other, construct each other, and create each other's meanings.
"Don't talk nonsense when you are proud" is a scripture in Buddhism. In Buddhist scriptures, there are many fables about introspection and prudence, which I reinterpret in the form of contemporary art.
祝詞（Wish）：
筌者所以在鱼，得鱼而忘筌。蹄者所以在兔，得兔而忘蹄。言者所以在意，得意而忘言。万事不可舍本逐末
Wish(Translation):
After catching fish, people forget the fishing tool - bamboo cage; after catching rabbits, people forget the rabbit fishing tool - rabbit net.
Language is used to express meaning, and when you get meaning, people forget about language. (Zhuangzi allusions)
When you are successful, don’t forget what you originally depended on, don't talk nonsense when you are proud.
