At the opening ceremony, I said three things. First, Mr. Lai Zhigang exhibition is a tribute to Mr. Li Keran art and a deep exploration of traditional art. Second, it is an advancement into a new realm of ink painting. Why do I say that his work is a tribute to Mr. Li Keran style? I believe his academic lineage traces back to the Li family’s landscape painting. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Wang Luxiang, Dean Lu Yushun, and Chief Editor Shang Hui shared their academic perspectives on Mr. Lai Zhigang artistic heritage. In his works, we can see both the changes and constants of the Li family’s landscape painting. On one hand, he carries forward the patriotic sentiment of "depicting the landscape of the homeland" and the integration of life and art, which are distinct traditions of the Li family’s landscape painting. In fact, he has deeply studied the Li family’s landscape painting techniques under Mr. Jia Youfu and Mr. Li Xiaoke.

In his works, he uses "bone" to structure the painting and "ink" to create rhythm. He adheres to the essence of brush and ink on the foundation laid by Mr. Li Keran. At the same time, he actively explores innovations in the subject matter and the language of painting. For example, he has made new explorations in the depiction of clouds and mist, water, and the combination of "Ji Mo" (accumulation of ink) with contemporary themes. On the foundation of "grand, full, black, and thick" forms, he has developed an internal beauty characterized by "clumsy, heavy, and grand." Additionally, his recent explorations show new changes. Previously, his landscape paintings focused on creating scenery. Today’s works reflect a transformation towards a more heartfelt creation. In this series of works, you can see his deep appreciation of the traditional Chinese concept of "lying on mountains and rivers" and the aesthetic of "quiet contemplation and savoring the image." He embodies an advancement in abstract art based on traditional Chinese landscape imagery. In the largest piece in the exhibition, based on waves, he combines the ocean imagery with abstract characteristics. This is part of his expansion of the Li family's landscape painting, and the recognition from numerous experts at this exhibition is a result of Mr. Lai Zhigang explorations in these areas.

In the current development of landscape painting, I think his choice of this creative style is inherently related to his personal temperament. Why can't many contemporary artists' works achieve the same grand and majestic beauty as Mr. Li Keran? Lai Zhigang choice of this style, I believe, is due to his inherent temperament that aligns with Mr. Li Keran style. It is also related to the technical teachings he received while studying under Mr. Jia Youfu and Mr. Li Xiaoke. During his studies, Mr. Lai Zhigang developed his own style, making breakthroughs on the foundation of Mr. Li Keran style. His paintings are relatively full, dense, and black, which are some of the characteristics of his artistic language.

He has made a name for himself in the field of ink painting landscapes and clouds, gaining recognition from many. In his works, he consciously emphasizes the volume, brightness, surface, structure, and spatial layering of landscapes. His ink paintings differ from traditional Chinese ink paintings that use brush and ink to express the artist’s heart and seek charm and spirit. He transcends the realism and shaping with a contemporary artistic quality, expressing a return to the traditional literati's sentiment and aesthetic of "quiet contemplation and savoring the image."