Today, I am very honored and delighted to see a very clear and excellent Chinese painting exhibition at the National Art Museum. This is an exhibition of over a hundred works by our renowned painter Mr. Lai Zhigang. As soon as I walked in, I was very surprised and didn't expect to see such a fantastic exhibition. Over the past few years, this is one of the best exhibitions I have seen. The first impression I got from these works is their grand scale. Several large-scale pieces showcase the beautiful landscapes of ancient and modern China and the world, including the splendid scenery of our motherland today. There are also a series of sketches and scroll paintings inspired by poetry. This exhibition made me feel the profound and enduring nature of Chinese culture, its depth, grandeur, and majesty, which are fully displayed in Mr. Lai Zhigangworks.

 

My first impression is the grand scale and visual impact of the works, which immediately struck the viewers. This exhibition indeed gave me such a strong feeling. Another aspect is Mr. Lai Zhigangunique style. He truly studies and researches traditional Chinese painting in depth, exploring its roots from ancient times to the present. He also studied with Mr. Jia Youfu. His learning and research from ancient masters to contemporary ones have given him a high starting point. Standing on the shoulders of giants, he not only inherits their excellent traditions but also innovates and creates, which is remarkable. As our General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized, our artists must uphold and innovate traditional Chinese culture. As an artist, innovation and creation are crucial.

 

In Mr. Lai Zhigangworks, we can feel his deep study of masters like Li Keran, Huang Binhong, and Lu Yanshao. These works are mostly in ink, without color, and are very rich and heavy, characterized by black and white contrast. His use of black is quite rare among contemporary Chinese painters and stems from his exploration built on the foundations laid by masters like Li Keran and Huang Binhong. His techniques and skills differ from theirs, yet his black ink is incredibly transparent and heavy, full of vitality. This is a rare achievement. If black is not well handled, the painting can become dull. Mr. Lai's paintings may appear predominantly black, but they are very transparent and breathable, with a robust and vivid spirit. His control of the brush and rhythm, the strong yet soft strokes, all demonstrate his excellent command.

 

Traditional Chinese painting highly values two aspects: lines and spirit. If these two are well managed, the essence and aesthetic pursuit of Chinese culture and painting can be fully expressed. In contemporary Chinese painting, especially freehand painting, there are many gaps in the understanding and drawing of lines compared to the past. Many try to innovate in the expression of spirit and composition, but it is often said that innovation should be rooted in the right path, conveying a sense of righteousness and positive energy. Mr. Lai Zhigang excels in this, putting great effort into each painting. His strong brushstrokes, seasoned and vigorous lines, and gentle brush rhythm all require extensive practice.

 

Additionally, his works have two more characteristics: the depiction of light and its effects. Traditionally, Chinese painting did not emphasize light in the way Western art did since the 19th century. However, in depicting clouds, mist, and the contrast of black and white, ancient Chinese painting did reflect an understanding of light. Mr. Lai Zhigangdepiction of clouds and mist captures this sense of light and integrates it into his paintings without using lines, unlike Lu Yanshao. Instead, he uses the rhythm of ink to create a unified relationship between light and the painting. This creates a strong contrast, harmonizing the mountain's texture and lines with the brushwork of clouds and mist, effectively balancing light and heavy, movement and stillness.

 

Mr. Lai's use of light is more flexible than that of Mr. Li Keran's backlighting techniques, demonstrating his own understanding and innovation. These works are truly worth visiting, studying, and exchanging ideas. Contemporary Chinese painting must consider how to inherit traditions, reflect the times, and innovate. Seeing Mr. Lai Zhigangworks today, we can see these three characteristics: inheritance, innovation, and reflecting the new era. His works capture the grandeur and pattern of our prosperous times and have developed a unique personal style, which is excellent.