《The Great Way Has No Gate-The Artistic Journey of CHIANG Ming-Shyan 》
This book analyzes Chiang Ming-Hsien’s body of work by dividing it into five major series: “Nostalgia and Emotions,” “Mountains and Rivers,” “Poetic Expressions,” “Beyond the Mind,” and “Ink Without Boundaries.” Each series is explored through various themes, techniques, artistic styles, aesthetic theories, and creative philosophies, delving into the stories and inspirations behind each of Chiang’s artistic concepts.
Born in 1942 in Taichung, Chiang Ming-Hsien was admitted to the Fine Arts Department of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in 1964, where he received formal academic training under renowned teachers such as Huang Junbi, Lin Yushan, Li Shiqiao, and Liao Jichun, laying a strong foundation for his art. During his studies in Europe and the U.S., Chiang humbly absorbed the theories and techniques of Western masters, expanding his artistic vision by visiting prominent museums across the globe.
From winning first place in Chinese painting at NTNU’s student exhibition in his youth, to becoming the first Taiwanese artist to hold a solo exhibition in Mainland China, as well as being honored with the National Award for Arts, named Honorary Professor at NTNU, and serving as the President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, Chiang has achieved numerous accolades. Over several decades, he has held more than 70 solo exhibitions and participated in over 100 group exhibitions across Taiwan, the U.S., France, Spain, China, South Korea, and Japan.
Chiang’s artistic accomplishments have evolved in step with history, continuously building upon the depth and quality of his work. His unique ink painting style not only narrates the progression of modern and contemporary Taiwanese ink art but also reaches the pinnacle of “self-expression.” He stands as a rare and significant Taiwanese contemporary ink artist and art educator, crossing international artistic boundaries.
Exhibition Series
Hometown Memories
Together with pen and ink, we journey together through memories, along the azure coastal shores, distant lush mountains, schools of fish and playful geese, where sea and sky meet in a seamless horizon, allowing us to forget our worries and wander freely. Temples and ancient streets, a vibrant cityscape with bustling crowds and busy traffic, all convey the unique local charm of Taiwan in full view.
A Thousand Rivers and Myriad Peaks
In distant foreign lands, there lie a thousand rivers and myriad peaks. Beyond the Potala Palace, the mountains extend into the heavens. Below the Huangguoshu Waterfall, the rivers flow with boundless vigor. The mountains are clear, their terrain steep, and the Longmen Grottoes stand solemnly, all depicted on a single scroll, conveying the joy of exploring these renowned landmarks, each one a boundless and breathtaking landscape.
Creating Poetry in the Mind’s Eye
The picturesque landscapes, akin to scenes from poetry, brought to life through the dance of brush and ink, vividly leap onto the canvas, inspiring one moving poem after another. It is as if in the ethereal realms of flowing clouds and cascading waterfalls, a profound understanding of ‘the greatest virtue is like water’ takes form, and in this semblance of poetry yet transcends it, they gracefully come to life.
Creating Beyond the Material
Transcending the sensory bestowed by the physical world, these artworks originate from the heart, manifesting in the intangible. Going beyond mere tangible form, be it blending or stippling, they wander amidst the chaos of reality and illusion, depicting a sense of familiarity, yet is the result of countless transformations within the heart, reimagining and reproducing the myriad forms of beauty once again.
Ineffable Ink Mastery
Exploring the depths of ancient and modern ink styles, dancing wildly with cursive scripts, moving gracefully with regular and clerical scripts; holding the intention to craft the ineffable, the brush moves like dragon and serpent, exuding a powerful artistic charm. All methods are methods, and the ineffable, is also a method. By using this unconventional method, it appears as if painting instead of writing, transcending all boundaries, and revealing the enlightenment of the gateless Great Way.
