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.
This painting is inspired by the Chinese ritual and music system.The ritual and music system used to be a social system in ancient China, which had a great influence on the politics, culture, art and thought of later generations.In this work, I hope to embody a kind of harmony that is respected in oriental culture.This kind of harmony is not only the relationship between people, but also the relationship between people and society, nature, and the outside world.In the“Wish”(back), I still use ancient poetry and calligraphy to describe what I think is a harmonious society, and in the front amulet, find the balance of image, and the balance of pen and paper between strokes.
祝詞(Wish):
夫乐者,天地之体,万物之性也,合其体得其性则和,离其体失其性则乖。
昔者圣人之作乐也,将以顺天地之性,体万物之生也,故定八方之音,以迎阴阳八风之声。
Wish(Translation):
Ritual music,is the embodiment of heaven and earth,the nature of all things.
Fit into its body, acquire its nature, then will be harmonious. Detached from its body, lost its nature, then will be perverse.
The sages of the past used to make ritual music, and they will conform to the nature of heaven and earth, and reflect the life of all things. Therefore, the sound of each direction is determined to welcome the sound of the eight winds of yin and yang.