Today, we are here to open the Ink Art Exhibition of Lai Zhigang. On behalf of the Guangdong Artists Association, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone present. Mr. Lai Zhigang systematically studied Chinese landscape painting under the guidance of Mr. Jia Youfu and Mr. Li Xiaoke. Over forty years of artistic creation, he has continuously researched the traditional ink accumulation techniques, absorbing the rich artistic essence of masters like Mi Fu, Gong Xian, Huang Binhong, and Li Keran. He has fused ancient and modern styles, exploring his unique artistic style. His powerful, grand, and elegant style is strikingly evident in the massive works displayed in this exhibition.

In addition to his innate artistic talent, his creative passion for ink is reflected in his brushwork techniques honed in nature, producing exquisite and original works. Earlier, I mentioned his creation of large landscape paintings, such as "Yidao," "Yundao," and "Rise," where mountains stretch, the brushstrokes are powerful, the ink is thick, and the layered landscapes and clouds form a blend of reality and illusion. This masterfully highlights the essence of the mountains hidden in the artist's heart as grand and open landscapes.

His brushwork is particularly flexible, with varying depths of ink traces and well-arranged brush lines intertwining, effectively controlling the texture and rhythm of the entire painting. Mr. Lai Zhigang's ink expressions of clouds and water possess his intense personal style. Works like "The Great Tide," "Sanctuary," and "The Grand River Flows East" feature grand scenes and clouds, creating beautiful chapters in ink with his unique black and white artistic language, drawing inspiration from nature.

Mr. Lai has a deep understanding and recognition of the concepts of traditional Chinese painting and emphasizes sketching in nature. His footprints are spread across the vast landscapes of China, gradually gaining enlightenment through continuous practice and exploration. The Daoist thoughts embedded in ancient landscape paintings are expressed as "art is the practice of the Dao."

In today's diverse world of modern ink art, we can see Mr. Lai's adherence to traditional brush and ink from his creations and feel the era's spirit of "adhering to integrity and innovation" reflected in his works. I sincerely wish Mr. Lai's Ink Art Exhibition a complete success, and I am grateful for his precious art brought to Guangdong, especially this exhibition by Mr. Lai Zhigang. His art is vast and grand. He inherits tradition, stands in the modern world, and faces life. In his landscapes, we can see the inheritance of the Li family's landscape painting. The waterfalls and mountains, passed down through generations, shine anew in his hands. At the same time, he is rooted in modern times, traveling north and south for sketching, showcasing scenes from Hanshan Temple to Tibet, reflecting our vibrant real life.

Mr. Lai always strives for self-formation, and his brush and ink are oriented towards the future. By viewing his water paintings, mountain paintings, and cold river paintings, we can feel his different inner worlds and grand self. Especially in his water paintings, up close, each stroke is detailed; from a distance, the grandeur of the great river is felt, truly moving the audience. Standing before his massive works, we see a Lai Zhigang who inherits the past, guards the present, and takes a big step towards the future. I thank Mr. Lai and appreciate the treasures of art he has brought to Guangdong.