The exhibition by West Lake has broadened our horizons and provided us with a learning opportunity. Today, when I saw Mr. Lai on stage, I immediately thought of his image, which very much resembles the portrait of Laozi painted by Zhao Mengfu. Although Mr. Lai did not speak much, he mentioned a word, "alive," which resonated with me. I believe that his paintings embody the Taoist philosophy in Chinese ink painting, where nature is both wonderful and simple yet rich.

 

The simplicity of nature's composition generally consists of two types of elements. One is fluid, such as clouds, water, smoke, and fog, which, according to physics, have power and are studied in fluid mechanics. The other is solid, represented by peaks and rocks in Chinese painting. When these two elements meet, they create a richer beauty, balancing movement and stillness. Fluids have a gentle beauty, while solids have a strong beauty. Their interaction produces a dynamic and harmonious beauty that symbolizes perpetual life, the essence of "alive."

 

Clouds and mist bring mountains to life. Ancient people said, "Clouds are the breath of mountains, and flowing water is the blood of mountains," making the mountains alive. The solid rocks highlight the fluidity and power of clouds and mist. After seeing Mr. Lai's paintings, I felt the dynamic beauty of Taoist philosophy, which is vivid, eternal, and ever-flowing. In front of nature, we feel awe, excitement, and the greatness of nature, making us appreciate life and cherish every day.

 

Mr. Lai's paintings purify the soul, making us realize the greatness of nature and the insignificance of individuals, teaching us to cherish life, which aligns with the Taoist principle of unity between man and nature. The blank spaces in his paintings, like clouds and flowing water, have a tangible quality. Clouds appear to float upward yet hang down, giving a sense of lightness and weight, making the painting vibrant. The water is in motion, with light and shadow effects, and seems to produce sound.

 

Mr. Lai inherited much from Mr. Li Keran and developed his own style. He also studied the landscape paintings of Mr. Jia Youfu, especially the Taihang Mountains. Mr. Lai's works are not only grand but also focus on light and highlights, particularly well-done in white. Mr. Jia's paintings are heavy and rich in layers, making the scenes lively.

 

Mr. Lai's paintings, as Chen Chuanxi mentioned, integrate dots, lines, and planes with grandeur, capturing the soul of rivers and mountains and the vitality of nature. The paintings have a three-dimensional feel, with light and shadow creating a three-dimensional space. Dong Qichang said, "If judged by the strangeness of the path, paintings are not as good as landscapes," but with exquisite brushwork, they can be excellent. Modern people, with access to more views from airplanes and other means, enhance the sense of depth and volume.

 

Western oil paintings are often praised for their expressiveness due to their three-dimensionality. Mr. Lai's paintings not only have depth but also atmospheric quality, with multi-layered changes instead of just being uniformly dark. His compositions are full and naturally formed without pre-design. The texture of the mountains and the volume of the clouds, along with light and shadow variations, make the mountains appear three-dimensional and rich in layers.

 

In summary, Mr. Lai's paintings showcase Taoist philosophy in Chinese culture, using natural compositions and exquisite brushwork to express the greatness of nature and the liveliness of life.