Inheritance and Innovation — Lai Zhigang Ink Art Exhibition Opens at the National Academy of Painting of China

CCTV News (Reporter Han Dan) On April 17, the "Inheritance and Innovation — Lai Zhigang Ink Art Exhibition" opened at the National Academy of Painting of China. This exhibition was co-hosted by the Guangdong Museum of Art, Li Keran Academy, and China Fine Arts News, and implemented by Shenzhen Lai Zhigang Ink Landscape Painting Cultural and Artistic Development Co., Ltd. The exhibition, themed "Inheritance and Innovation," features over 100 famous works by the artist Lai Zhigang, summarizing his artistic achievements over more than 40 years.

The theme "Inheritance and Innovation," originally written by Mr. Zou Peizhu, serves as encouragement for Mr. Lai Zhigang and reflects earnest expectations and the initial passion for art that Mr. Lai has maintained throughout the years. Over the past 40 years, Mr. Lai has deeply studied traditional ink accumulation techniques, inheriting the strengths of masters such as Gong Xian, Huang Binhong, and Li Keran. After mastering the principles of ink accumulation, he has developed and innovated the technique, while overcoming obstacles and continuously improving himself, gradually forming his own style. His works display majestic and solemn landscapes, freely changing clouds and mist, reflecting a confident, powerful spirit of the times and rich spiritual meaning. Mr. Lai Zhigang's technique combines momentum and thickness to depict clouds and mist, aligning with the Daoist pursuit of harmony with nature and humanity in Chinese cultural art.

In this exhibition, Mr. Lai Zhigang presents over 100 masterpieces of various sizes and styles, showcasing his artistic talents. This is akin to reproducing the poem of Cao Zijian, a major figure in Jian'an literature from 2,000 years ago: "Literature is like spring flowers, thought is like bubbling springs. Words are read and written into prose." Large-scale works such as "Art & Dao," "Great Tide," and "Huangshan Clouds" demonstrate tremendous momentum, inheriting the grandeur of Southern Song dynasty painter Li Tang. On the other hand, hand-painted works like "Fuchun Mountain Residence," "Eastward Flow of the Great River," and "River Snow" express the ethereal landscapes of heaven, earth, and mist with delicate ink accumulation, showing vibrant scenery. Upon close observation, the mist-enveloped landscapes evoke a sense of an immortal dwelling, mesmerizing viewers. Also notable are the small-sized yet profoundly detailed sketch paintings. He aligns sensory perception and brushwork to express the natural frankness that emerges from "Dao."

The opening ceremony was hosted by Wang Ping, President and Editor-in-Chief of China Fine Arts News. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Li Baolin, a renowned painter and member of the National Academy of Painting of China, and Sun Ke, former Vice Chairman of the China Painting Association and a renowned art theorist. Attendees included Lu Yushun, President of the National Academy of Painting of China; Xu Lian, Vice President of the National Academy of Painting of China; Yu Wenjiang, Vice President of the National Academy of Painting of China; Zeng Laide, former Vice President of the National Academy of Painting of China; Ji Lianbin, former Vice President of the National Academy of Painting of China; Wu Hongliang, President of the Beijing Academy of Painting; Shang Hui, President and Editor-in-Chief of 'Art' magazine; Li Geng, President of Li Keran Academy; and renowned art theorists Wang Yong and Wang Zhong.

An academic seminar related to the exhibition was also held after the opening ceremony. The exhibition will continue until April 23.