Today, I came to see Mr. Lai Zhigangexhibition in Taiwan. An artist must possess knowledge, thought, virtue, and talent. He expresses the aesthetics of Chinese culture and Chinese art through his brush and ink, showcasing a powerful force. This force of thought is the strength of Chinese tradition and orthodoxy.

After seeing Mr. Lai Zhigangworks, I was deeply moved. In Chinese landscape painting, it's not just about ink and wash; the cultural aspect is even more important. Generally, people tend to overlook the modernity of ink and wash painting, which has a profound traditional foundation. It's rare to see such expressions in contemporary Chinese ink painting. I have compared his paintings to the works of modern painters like Gong Xian, Wu Changshuo, and Li Keran. Lai Zhigangpaintings absorb the positive expressions of these artists. While typical painters symbolically depict the texture of mountains, the flow of water, or the flying clouds, Mr. Lai Zhigangaesthetic expression can be compared to that of Western backlight painters like Bonnard and Rouault.

He places light outside the painting, harmonizing yin and yang to create texture and volume in the picture. Observing objects to capture their true essence, I believe Mr. Bai experiences this painting expression daily. Regardless of how ink painters from both sides of the Taiwan Strait express themselves, this represents a modern aspect of Chinese culture that can be passed down in the 21st century.

Seeing his paintings, I was truly moved, so vividly expressive and grand. The picture is simple yet includes mountains and objects. When considering these objects, it is essential to understand the era, the environment, and oneself. To become an artist, one must have these conditions. Without understanding the era, the environment, or oneself, one cannot produce good paintings.

Light and shadow change with time and space, but the human heart should not be swayed by these changes. It must grasp the essence. When he paints, we can see how thick and deep the layers are. Looking at Lai Zhigangpaintings, we can see if what he observed and experienced in this era is reflected. He has surpassed the ancient methods of leaving blank spaces or using double lines, reaching a new height. The clouds are white because of the light, but when there is no light in the valleys, the clouds' expression differs, showing layers. Regardless of water, mountains, stones, or structures, the entire picture exudes the power of the era. Whether it is texture or pattern, it is very natural. He speaks of "Yidao," which refers to an aesthetic view.