Painting art has distinct visual characteristics, it is not only the refinement and generalization of real life, but also the expression and transmission of the creator's self-spirit, and its profound and rich inner thoughts make art shine brightly.
At the same time, the creation of artistic images cannot be separated from rationality, and unique artistic symbols are permeated with the imprint of rational thinking of creators. It is not a random copy of objective objects, but the externalization and manifestation of the creator's attitude and rational understanding of social things.
Unprovoked (Zeng Minduan) works
Recently, the Guangzhou International Art Fair conducted an in-depth artistic dialogue with the painter Gratuitous (Zeng Minduan), hoping to convey the infinite charm of art with words.
Here's what the conversation is about:
1. When did you start studying art? Is there a role model (artist) in your heart who can be your role model? What influence did he have on your artistic creation?
Unprovoked (Zeng Minduan): When I was in high school at Shunde Huaqiao Middle School, I participated in the extracurricular art group activities taught by teacher Wu Haicheng, and thus stepped into the door of art. Now I still remember the extracurricular sketching at that time, and the sketching emphasizes the cooperation of eyes and hands, and I feel its great charm all the time. In addition to improving in technique, I also have a richer experience of nature, and in the process of handwritten eyesight, I deeply feel the wonder of the transformation of time and space in the four seasons, the spring of Ten Thousand Trees, the beautiful and lush summer, the fruitful autumn, the cold and silent winter... The colorful life forms have benefited me a lot.
Sketching is a process of continuous unification of reason and sensibility, reality and ideals, and continuous artistic practice has given me a deeper understanding of art. The following year, I created zheng he's "Zheng He's Voyage to the West", which was selected and won the award of the 7th Finnish International Youth Art Exhibition.
Gratuitous (Zeng Minduan) sketching pictures
"If you study alone and have no friends, you are lonely and unheard of." Foreign Van Gogh, Monet, the domestic Bada Shanren, Shi Tao, Li Keyan, Lu Yushao and other predecessors are all worth learning from my generation of art. Although their circumstances before they were born were different, or lonely, or Tengda, no matter what situation they were in, they were fully engaged in artistic creation, integrating life and art, and this spirit is worth learning.
2. Looking back on your creative practice over the years, do you have a staged summary of your art? What keeps you motivated by your artistic creation?
Unprovoked End (Zeng Minduan): Ancient Yun: "Wise people enjoy water, benevolent people enjoy mountains." "Everyone is consciously or unconsciously looking for something that resonates with themselves, so that it can nurture people's spirituality and accumulate human energy. Man and the source of all things are one, and what you like and what will appear in front of your eyes. Therefore, it is the common sentiment of people to love flowers.
Regarding artistic creation, I summarized three stages: (1) natural form, sketching is to imitate the form of nature, which is the initial stage of art entry, focusing on the depiction of objective objects, in the stage of realism, but if this stage can be done to the extreme, it can also become a famous artist, and the representative figure is Leng Jun. (2) Humanistic form, which gives cultural connotation on the basis of natural form, which is the case with Chinese literati paintings, represented by Qi Baishi. (iii) The form of the mind, at this stage, can be concrete, can be imaged, can be abstract, everything is arbitrary, is free, the founders of many schools of painting have this characteristic.
Now, I am slowly entering the third stage. My sincere love for art and the encouragement of my senior scholars, teachers and peers are the driving force for me to keep creating.
3. From what aspects can we interpret and understand your works? What do you hope to resonate with the viewer through the medium of art?
Unprovoked (Zeng Minduan): I think sincerity is the most praiseworthy virtue. When creating, I never insist on quantity and speed, I pursue quality. When I'm not inspired, I'd rather put down my brush and relax, browse, sit still, and start writing until I'm ready to write. I advocate the expression of the current mood and state, so I never sketch, do not draft, spread out the rice paper, pick up the brush and draw directly. One stroke and one painting, the painting is the painting of the heart, conveying the state of mind of the present, the so-called: "the present is everything", "that is, the mind is the Buddha" is also. Every stroke is clear and clear, never pretentious, only the truth is revealed, sincerity is my true color.
Each stroke in the painting can be independent or freely combined to form a complete picture. In the future, the technology of "meta-universe" can also be used to digitally deconstruct the works, separate and combine them, and form a three-dimensional three-dimensional space. I just devote myself to the creation, and the things that resonate are handed over to the viewer, and the same frequency people will resonate and resonate. The underlying logic of the universe is induction! Quantum theory in physics has confirmed this through the phenomenon of quantum entanglement. The Buddha said: If you are sincere, if you are sincere, you will come sincerely!
4. Do you think there is a criterion for art evaluation, and if so, what is this criterion? What kind of art is good art?
Gratuitous (Zeng Minduan): The value of artworks contains two aspects, on the one hand, "intangible value", which is the spiritual level, such as resonance and heartbeat; on the other hand, "tangible value", that is, the collection value and derivative value of artworks. Only when a work of art has "intangible value" can it have "tangible value" and is worth collecting, which follows the Taoist philosophical idea of "making something out of nothing".
Therefore, the evaluation criteria of artworks can be there, and the only criterion is the resonance and heartbeat of the viewer. Without the empathy and heartbeat of the viewer, his works can only be reduced to general commodities, which is also often referred to as "licensed goods". Therefore, works that can resonate with the viewer and touch the heart of the viewer are good works.
5. How do you see the relationship between tradition and the contemporary, inheritance and innovation? What do you think is the most important point in artistic creation?
Unprovoked (Zeng Minduan): Tradition and contemporary, both belong to the same river, this river is the river of time, the river is still there, water or water. If water becomes something else, such as alcohol, it is not called a river. Therefore, the essence of tradition and contemporaryness remains unchanged, but it changes form. This is like the flow of a river, its form can be ever-changing, can be still water deep flow, can splash water, can be calm as a mirror, can be surging and surging, can be thin water long flow, can run endlessly and so on.
In the same way, the essence of traditional art and contemporary art is unchanged, both reflect the spiritual sustenance of human beings, and both are spiritual expression and spiritual interpretation in the medium of art. The expressions, expression methods, and presentation methods of art are advancing with the times, such as the presentation of contemporary art pen and ink, digital art, etc. is novel and does not exist in tradition. Therefore, the essence of traditional art and contemporary art is unchanged, and what changes is the form.
About inheritance and innovation. Every river has its source, and the long river of art is no exception, with its traditional factors, so does tradition need to be inherited? I think we need to inherit the DNA of traditional art, what is its DNA? It is the invisible knowledge, cultivation, observation, etc., as well as all the nutrients contained in literature, history, and philosophy. Of course, in addition to inheriting the DNA of traditional culture, we should also keep pace with the times, maintain innovation, innovate expression methods and presentation methods, etc., that is, find an artistic language that can better express individuality.
When making art, the most important thing is to be undistracted and single-minded, which involves the real question, are your working hours free? Is your finances free? Or is it worry-free? For example, Van Gogh, he only sold a painting before his death, but he never worried about the cost of food and clothing, paint costs, because behind him there is a brother who silently supports him to provide him with life security, he belongs to the financial carefree situation, so Van Gogh can create without distraction, single-mindedly, and maintain natural and sincere, which is the most valuable quality in artistic creation.
6. What personal interests and hobbies do you usually have in your life after creating? What do you usually do outside of your creative work?
Gratuitous (Zeng Minduan): In addition to creating, in addition to participating in some daily social activities and art activities, the rest is solitude, meditation, and contemplation. What I want to share with you is that artistic creation is not the ultimate goal, it is just a process, enjoy the process of creation, and pursue the soul of freedom! The soul can be imperfect, but it can be clean and free.
Artist Profile
Artist profile
Unprovoked (Zeng Minduan), a native of Foshan, Guangdong, is a professional artist. Founder of Daqian Design Office, legal representative of Foshan Shoushan Art Co., Ltd., and contracted artist of Guangzhou International Art Fair. His work "Zheng He's Journey to the West" was selected and won the 7th Finnish International Youth Award, and he has created the masterpiece "Taihang Mountain" sketch series, "Tibet Nyingchi Peach Blossom Valley" sketch series and "Moonlight Song" series, etc., and many works have been collected by art museums and private collectors.
Important Exhibition Experience:
1. On August 18, 2019, he participated in the "Bing She" art exhibition held at the Zhongshan Jiabo Convention and Exhibition Center;
2. On October 2, 2020, he participated in the "Group Exhibition of Lingnan Bamboo Paintings and Works of Art" held at gao Jianfu Memorial Hall;
3. In November 2020, he participated in the "Chinese Design Power" - Designer Art Works Exhibition held at the Chen Shuren Memorial Hall;
4. In October 2021, he participated in the "Wind And Clear Rhyme - Invitation Exhibition of Contemporary Painting and Bamboo Art" held at the Gao Jianfu Memorial Hall;
5. In November 2021, he participated in the "Design and Art Cross-border Exhibition" held at Tanzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center;
6. On March 15, 2022, he participated in the "Lichun - Five-person Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition" held in Guangzhou Nuclear Boat Culture and Art Center.
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