Graduated from the Fine Arts Dept. of Shanghai Yangpu Educational College and the Chinese Dept of the Literature College of Shanghai University. Member of the Shanghai Association of Fine Arts. Now, working at Liu Hai Su Art Museum

"The traditional technique and language of Chinese ink painting have already come to their extremity. The learners of these technique and language find no way to surpass. Then, the artists of ink paintings are trying their best to break through the restriction of tradition, seeking new language and ideas. Some of them are inspired by the western painting technique or by the life of nations afar. They are doing the same as artists in the history western world. In the process of their breakout, both eastern and western artists exchange aesthetic ideas, learn from and complement each other.

Realizing that, I am exploring my own way. Among various styles of ink paintings which are more open nowadays, I favor somewhat more the traditional scholar’s style. Because, this style stresses on expressing the author’s consciousness. But I am not against the western form of image depicting. The key is that: while you are seeking new structure and expression based on the traditional ink painting language, you must absorb organically all kinds of artistic elements, and then, create your own unique language of art.

My inspiration of creating works comes from year’s experience of the life of the minority nations in the western rural area of China. However, subject is just the carrier for the painter to practice his/her personal understanding of visional aesthetics. I uphold the composition of frame structure of an ink painting with traditional line strokes, which is the symbol and treasure of water-ink language. But I pay also great attention to the color image of ink paintings, emphasizing the unification and tone of colors, integrating the essence of modern plane design.

“Xie-Yi”means a type of Chinese painting that relies on freehand strokes with Chinese writing brush. The spirit or soul of it is to depict the image with a few brush strokes but vividly represent it. It is just this soul which makes this type of painting vigorous and powers the development of modern water ink painting. I pursue undeviatingly this spirit, while I am exploring how to apply this spirit in each brush stroke with color in the ink painting. This is my exploration of new language of ink painting.

I appreciate very much the words of my teacher Mr. Zhang Peicheng: “I would rather to paint a picture with new experiment though childish than to paint one which looks perfect but just repeating the old way.” Because, repeating means just skillful, while experimenting gestates creation."

Author: ZHOU Weiping