In the process of learning his craft, Mr. Lai Zhigang chose a very rigorous artistic expression method—ink accumulation landscape painting. The work "Yidao" behind me took him eight months to complete. Mr. Li Xiaoke remarked, "His black is so striking and powerful, it's truly breathtaking." I believe Mr. Lai Zhigang's first solo exhibition in Taiwan holds very special significance. The fact that this solo exhibition can be held in Taiwan is also very meaningful to me personally because he used the most challenging ink accumulation landscape painting to express his art. I greatly respect his ability to handle large works. As we all know, "Yidao," "Three Gorges of the Yangtze River," and "Yellow Mountain Mist and Clouds" are some of his representative works.

He is good at challenging large works, but why do painters take on such big challenges? One reason is to surpass what the ancients have not achieved. Another reason is that he believes that ink accumulation landscape painting can be most perfectly expressed in large works. The most important thing is how he faces himself to produce his best artistic expression. While his work often receives praise for his depiction of rocks and light and shadow, I particularly admire his depiction of clouds, which is something most artists do not attempt. Mr. Lai spends a lot of time in the mountains and nature, reading the book of nature. His unique approach to the changes in clouds is especially noteworthy. When I visited Shenzhen, I specifically asked him about this. He explained how he highlights the relationship between the clouds and the rocks, particularly how to make the bright white parts stand out the most.

These are aspects that many other artists do not pay much attention to. Mr. Lai also excels in the smooth transition from black to white. I believe each artist has their own strengths, but Mr. Lai's depiction of clouds is particularly realistic and rare. It's not just about sketching nature, but about how to reflect the reality in the painting and touch people's hearts, which is the role of art. Through Mr. Lai Zhigang's works, we can feel how directly he conveys this sensation. Especially in the center of the painting, the cloud depiction is very subtle, yet it connects the clouds, water, and mountains naturally. This natural expression seems to blend with the real scene.

I believe Mr. Lai Zhigang is an outstanding representative in the fusion of Eastern and Western art. His works have a realistic beauty like a 3D scene, which is uncommon in traditional Chinese painting. He immerses himself deeply in nature to reflect its changes in his works. This cannot be achieved simply by taking some photos. He goes into nature for sketching, and this lifestyle is reflected in his art. Through this exhibition, I hope to faithfully present what kind of artist Mr. Lai Zhigang is, and how his ink accumulation landscape paintings were formed, allowing everyone to feel his rigor and dedication to art. Art cannot move people without sincerity, and Mr. Lai Zhigang's art indeed has this quality.