Kuo Ming-fu: The Possibilities of Watercolour and the Beauty of Water Medium

The Possibilities of Watercolour and the Beauty of Water Medium

Warm welcome to “Hundred Peaks Painter” Kuo Ming-fu In this art and culture lecture. Kuo Ming-fu, as the main speaker, shared his story of encountering watercolor, the development of watercolor in Taiwan, and his unique insights into the cultural development of the arts in Malaysia.

Kuo Ming-fu, a native of Chiayi, Taiwan, graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University and obtained a master’s degree from the School of Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, USA. He has served as an associate professor at Ming Chuan University and as an honorary director of the Taiwan International Watercolor Painting Association.

Kuo Ming-fu’s journey from dreaming of becoming a doctor to serendipitously discovering art and ultimately choosing to enter the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University was shaped by a mountain-climbing experience that deeply moved him. Despite a career in teaching becoming the central focus of his life after graduation, he rediscovered his passion for painting during a mountain expedition. Initially choosing watercolor as his medium of expression, he later felt the limitations of watercolor and decided to study oil painting techniques in the United States. However, in his seventies, he abandoned physically demanding oil painting and returned to watercolor, continuing his pursuit of artistic creation.

During Kuo Ming-fu’s first visit to George Town, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur, he profoundly experienced the captivating blend of tradition and modernity. George Town, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site intricately linked to people’s lives, deepened his understanding of the allure of traditional Malaysian culture. In contrast, Kuala Lumpur showcased a thoroughly modernized facade, illustrating Malaysia’s ongoing transition from tradition to modernity.

Kuo Ming-fu expressed particular interest in the works of Malaysian artist Chung Yao Chai from Penang. Chung Yao Chai, in his early works, depicted traditional themes, but over time, his pieces gradually exhibited abstract elements in color, subject matter, and technique. Additionally, the batik art of Chua Tian Ding left a lasting impression on Kuo Ming-fu. As a traditional craft, Chua Tian Ding’s children, while preserving traditional knowledge, created a unique form combining with pure art, especially large-scale batik works that amazed Kuo Ming-fu.He believes that if this trend continues, Malaysia’s art and culture will present a completely new outlook. He emphasized the key to coexistence of tradition and modernity, rather than replacing old traditions with new modern elements. Although there may be initial criticism of tradition, believing that everything needs to change, over time, artists gradually discover that excellent elements in tradition can be integrated into the modern, and the older generation of artists is also willing to learn new technologies to keep art vibrant. These transformations are part of the process of national and cultural evolution, influenced not only by social conditions but also stimulating further development.

In the lecture, Lin Renshan, the chairman of the Taiwan International Watercolor Painting Association, shared the development history of watercolor painting in Taiwan. Now, Taiwan’s watercolor painting is more diverse in technique, content, and creativity, presenting a fusion of local and international styles. This international development is not a simple imitation but a clever integration of local culture, achieving the localization of the international.

Finally, Kuo Ming-fu emphasized that Malaysia’s art scene should root itself locally and fully leverage Malaysia’s unique characteristics. He stressed that being the most international is being the most local, and being the most modern is being the most indigenous. This developmental path will bring a unique charm and influence to Malaysia’s art scene, setting it apart on the international stage.