Taiwan's First Exhibition of Lai Zhigang Sparks Heated Discussion in Academia on Both Sides of the Strait

On September 7, 2019, a symposium titled "Inheritance and Innovation of Lai Zhigang's Accumulated Ink Landscape" was held at the Zhongshan Auditorium on the first floor of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. This event followed the opening of Lai Zhigang's accumulated ink exhibition in Taiwan and served as an in-depth academic exchange.

The symposium was divided into two parts and was hosted by Huang Guangnan, a prominent scholar and former president of Taipei National University of the Arts. The first part featured notable guests including Huang Guangnan, renowned art historian and critic Chen Dianxi from China, former dean of the College of Fine Arts at Taiwan Normal University Li Zhenming, and the artist Lai Zhigang.

The theme "Inheritance and Innovation of Lai Zhigang's Accumulated Ink Landscape" sparked intense and profound discussions on art.

Huang Guangnan, a leading scholar and former president of Taipei National University of the Arts, is an esteemed Chinese ink artist with over 25 solo exhibitions and more than 30 group exhibitions both domestically and internationally. He has a unique and profound understanding of ink painting. Huang praised Lai Zhigang’s works for their grandeur and depth, noting their simplicity yet profoundness, with a balance of texture and volume. He observed that Lai Zhigang captures the essence of his subjects, allowing viewers to sense the thickness, depth, and weight in his works. Additionally, Huang noted that through water, mountains, stones, and clouds, Lai Zhigang embodies the power of the era in his artwork.

Chen Dianxi, a renowned art critic often referred to as the "Father of Modern Art History Research," is one of China’s most authoritative art historians and theorists. He recognized the contemporary significance of Lai Zhigang’s work from a theoretical perspective. Chen commented that despite a painter’s many strengths, they rarely have a single defining characteristic. Lai Zhigang, however, possesses unique features, with many of his paintings being grand and dynamic. Chen highlighted that Lai Zhigang’s depiction of clouds is powerful and substantial, truly transcending eras. The most remarkable aspect is Lai’s deep understanding of tradition, which he has developed upon to express a grand and vigorous spirit of the times.

Li Zhenming, former dean of the College of Fine Arts at Taiwan Normal University and a famous contemporary ink artist in Taiwan, has set a standard for the diversity of ink painting in Taiwan. During the symposium, Li emphasized the reference value of Lai Zhigang’s accumulated ink technique for Taiwan’s art community. Li observed that the technique of dyeing is rarely visible in Lai’s works, revealing the grandeur of the pieces. He suggested that it might be time to explore grand vision styles in Taiwan’s unique emphasis on "small and certain happiness."

Lin Zhanghu, former dean of the College of Fine Arts at Taipei National University of the Arts and a doctoral scholar from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, excels in expressing emotions through modern ink painting and has a distinctive understanding of brush and ink expressions. Lin acknowledged the modernity of Lai Zhigang’s works, stating that modern brush and ink should be a unique cultural concept refined through tradition, allowing for the portrayal of realized insights. Lai Zhigang’s accumulated ink landscapes showcase personal spirit and convey changes in ink, subtle depths, and new atmospheres through clouds, water, light, and shadow.

Xiong Yijing, a former editor-in-chief of Taiwan’s prominent art magazines such as "Collection" and "Great View," and a curator of large-scale exhibitions like the "Dynamic Imagination - Modern Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Collection" for the 20th anniversary of Xizhitang, shared insights on the inspiration from Lai Zhigang’s landscapes. Xiong highlighted the purity of Lai’s art, noting that his perseverance is rare among younger generations. He also emphasized that Lai’s work reflects the essence of Li Keran’s principles of artistic courage and soul, and aligns with the Chinese principle that art creation is born from learning from nature, with the artist’s inner emotions and construction being essential to the transformation of nature’s beauty.

Liu Wenjie, known for his collection of modern masters like Li Keran and Qi Baishi and for founding the study of Chinese calligraphy and painting appreciation in "Liu Wenjie Talks about Calligraphy and Painting" and its sequel, praised Lai Zhigang’s ink landscapes. He noted the core of Lai’s art lies in his depiction of clouds using the accumulated ink technique, with a deep accumulation and pursuit of beauty, making it highly valuable for appreciation.

Lai Zhigang, the artist, emphasized that one should not fear hardship or loneliness when learning alone. The greater the difficulties, the higher one can climb. With sufficient skill, anything can be painted.

Drawing with the heart and following the laws of nature, Lai Zhigang, coming from a poor background and without official titles, has deeply impressed the art and academic circles of Taiwan with his “works.” This is the essence of "Lai Zhigang’s artistic charm"!

Lin Zhanghu, former dean of the College of Fine Arts at Taipei National University of the Arts, highly praised Lai Zhigang with a poem: "The cloud smoke rises in the Shiniutang, innovating the tradition of brush and ink. Art is the only way, and Lai Zhigang’s accumulated ink has pioneered a new spirit."