Past Programs & Events > An Exclusive Interview with the Father of Modern Chinese Ink Painting
Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation as Method
5 August 2023

An Exclusive Interview with the Father of Modern Chinese Ink Painting
Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation as Method

By C.N. LIEW

 

Harmoni x Yazhou Zhoukan x National Gallery Singapore


“the essence of art is to create and develop, not to repeat.” – Liu Kuo-sung

Images

The Father of Modern Chinese Ink Painting: Liu Kuo-sung

The photo was taken during the interview between Professor Liu Kuo-sung and C. N. Liew.

Prof. Liu Kuo-sung (3rd from the right) and C. N. Liew (2nd from the right) with Harmoni’s video interview team.

Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation as Method, National Gallery Singapore
Photo Source: C. N. Liew

Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation as Method, National Gallery Singapore
Photo Source: C. N. Liew

Photo taken at the National Gallery Singapore

Sun and Moon: Floating? Sinking? 84/100

Medium :

Dimension :

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Bronze intaglio print on paper

59 x 98 cm

2014

On August 5, 2023, the Harmoni team and C. N. Liew visited the National Gallery Singapore to interview Professor Liu Kuo-sung, regarded as the father of modern Chinese ink painting. At 91, Liu Kuo-sung was celebrated with more than a year retrospective exhibition organised by the National Gallery Singapore, showcasing over 60 representative works from 1950 to 2020 and more than 150 valuable archival materials, emphasising his core belief that the essence of art lies in the act of creation and evolution, rather than in mere repetition.

During the interview, Liu Kuo-sung shared his experimental approach to Chinese ink painting. He pointed out that the traditional method of learning Chinese ink painting involves copying the works of ancient masters. However, he believes that artists and scientists serve as creators of human civilisation. Material civilisation is created by scientists, while spiritual civilisation is crafted by artists. Therefore, he advocates for experimental methods, encouraging artists to conduct experiments akin to scientists, translating new ideas into practice, and fostering innovation and development.

In 1981, Liu Kuo-sung, deeply impressed by Wu Guanzhong’s exploration of blending Eastern and Western elements in oil painting, visited Wu Guanzhong’s residence. There, Liu witnessed the artist’s determination as he set up a drawing board in a small room, functioning as his studio, all the while maintaining an unwavering commitment to his artistic pursuits. Later, Liu Kuo-sung penned a comprehensive article in Taiwan’s Apollo (wenxing) magazine, providing an in–depth introduction to Wu Guanzhong. This article not only paid tribute to Wu Guanzhong but also served as a testament to the mutual respect and friendship between the two artists.

In the interview, Liu Kuo-sung also delved into the creative process and significance of one of his iconic artworks, “Sun and Moon: Floating? Sinking?” He expressed that artists should approach painting as a source of enjoyment, urging them not to be confined by conventions.

In regard to the integration of advanced technologies and AI artificial intelligence in art creation, Liu Kuo-sung expressed optimism about the future development of ink painting. He firmly believed that ink painting will evolve into an international art form, attracting artists worldwide. He encouraged young artists to keep exploring, leading Chinese ink painting into a new era of development and fostering innovation.

When asked about the motivation behind maintaining high efficiency and a quest for breakthroughs even in his nineties, Liu Kuo-sung emphasised that art originates from the imagination and development of ideas. He stressed that artists must harness their intellect to explore and put innovative thoughts into practice.

In this interview, we gained a profound understanding of Professor Liu Kuo-sung’s unique insights into art and experimentation, along with his optimistic vision for the future of Chinese ink painting. His works and philosophies will continue to inspire and influence the next generation of artists, propelling the field of ink painting towards ever greater horizons. Professor Liu Kuo-sung’s spirit of “forever striving upwards” and “continuously exploring and innovating” is deserving of our utmost admiration.