The art of calligraphy and painting (also known as brush painting) has been passed down for thousands of years, resembling endless mountain ranges that continuously undulate, and like the vast ocean, tumultuous and eternal.
The earliest forms of Chinese calligraphy and painting were not considered art. Writers used their craft to narrate and express ideas, while painters used theirs to release emotions. Such works, both for the creators and the audience, were not seen as artistic pieces, nor were they commodities for trade. Writing served to record, express, and convey events and thoughts; painting was a way to express emotions and leisurely pursuits, like dancing with ink. Portraits, on the other hand, were merely a form of documentation.
As the ages turned, human society witnessed the emergence of commerce, currency, competition, plunder, and warfare, disrupting the social order established over tens of thousands of years. Established notions of morality and beauty were eroded, and pursuit of self-interest became the sole objective for many. Thus, the once thriving landscapes transformed into battlegrounds.
It is unclear when exactly calligraphy and painting not only became art forms but also commodities.
This is, in fact, an inevitable product of societal development, an unavoidable phenomenon. There is no doubt about it, and it is beyond reproach.
The issue is that in today’s declining moral climate, the greedy wish to swallow more than they can chew, resorting to all sorts of tricks to steal, deceive, and defraud, ruthlessly competing for profit and adhering to the law of the jungle to the extreme.
Consequently, within the circles of calligraphy and painting, individuals proclaiming themselves as art masters are emerging in abundance, each claiming their works are worth millions.
Facing the flood of trite, uninspired, vulgar, and deceitful so-called calligraphy and painting art pieces is a disgrace to Chinese civilization and culture.
Having immersed myself in the vast ocean of calligraphy and painting art for over a decade, learning to swim and wrestle with the waters, I have experienced both its perils and pleasures multiple times. Taking advantage of this moment of leisure, I wish to express some of my insights on calligraphy and painting art, briefly described below.
Rationality and Sensitivity Soar Together
How should this be explained? Art should not be overly rational. Art that is too rational tends to be constrained and stereotypical, overly cautious, lacking in creativity and passion, merely copying or repeating the works of others.
When rationality and sensitivity soar together, the world is transformed anew. Rational thought permeates every aspect of artistic creation, ensuring that the works do not lack conviction or become bland and directionless. At the same time, fully embracing emotional intuition allows for spontaneity and realization of thoughts; the brush moves with the mind, and colors flow with consciousness, creating works that are relaxed, bold, lively, and straightforward. Breaking conventional bounds and opening unique vistas, these creations capture what is in everyone’s heart yet beyond most people’s reach. This is the essence of rationality and sensitivity flying side by side.
Integrity and Perseverance Empower Like Wings to a Tiger
Integrity is the foundation and the root; perseverance is the source of strength that protects this foundation and root.
In writing and painting, integrity is the key to success. Only with integrity can one truly express oneself, convey genuine emotions, and create works that are vivid, impactful, penetrating, and capable of moving and inspiring viewers.
Perseverance is like the dual oars of a wooden boat; only by continuously rowing can one reach the ideal shore. Among the vast numbers of contemporary artists, calligraphers, and painters, standing out in this competitive jungle is crucial, and perseverance is key. Perseverance means relentless creation, rising at the crow of the rooster, year in and year out, never slackening or delaying. Another aspect of perseverance is maintaining one’s self, sticking to one’s themes, style, personality, and unique features, making the artwork distinct, outstanding, and infinitely vibrant.
Banality and servility vanish together
The greatest enemies of calligraphy and painting art are undoubtedly pandering and servility. Pandering includes both ingratiating behavior and mediocrity. Those who pander lack backbone, independence of character, and conscience. Pandering often stems from extreme personal self-interest, driven by fear of power or fear of losing power, leading to clinging to the powerful, depending on others, and going to great lengths to flatter and please, all in exchange for personal gain.
Vulgarity is characterized by superficiality, ugliness, frivolity, and mediocrity. It lacks opinions, sentiments, loyalty, and personality. Like flies to filth and mosquitoes to blood, those who are vulgar will commit any misdeed if it benefits them.
Those with servility embody both pandering and vulgarity, willingly kneeling for profit and even proactively selling their souls. Pandering and servility are indeed of the same ilk.
Calligraphy and painting most abhor servility and vulgarity; once a work becomes vulgar, it destroys both the artwork and the reputation of its creator. Hence the famous saying: “Better to be clumsy than vulgar, better to be unskilled than ingratiating, better to die than to yield, always upright and unyielding.”
Faith and speculation are incompatible like water and fire
A small scene can encompass the whole world, and calligraphy and painting embody the ocean. The incompatibility of faith and speculation refers to artists who adhere to universal values, believing in fairness, justice, freedom, equality, happiness, and national peace. They infuse these beliefs into their art, inevitably creating works of grandeur and profound spirit. In contrast, those without faith pursue profit at the expense of ethics, engaging in opportunism and deceit, which is condemned by society.
These two types of people, differing in their aspirations, produce works of art that are worlds apart, and cannot be spoken of in the same breath. Thus, faith and speculation are as incompatible as water and fire. Those with ambition must harbor faith in their hearts and in their works of calligraphy and painting, shunning opportunism and embracing sincerity with open-heartedness.
