The Discipline of Ink
In the West, innovation is often prioritized over tradition. In the East, we know that true freedom comes from discipline. Before I could explore the chaos of Gestural Abstraction or the “Zen Brut” style, I spent years at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing mastering the strict rules of traditional scripts. This portfolio is a testament to that foundation. It is the daily practice, the meditation, and the dialogue with the masters of the past.
Running Script (Xing Shu 行书)
The Rhythm of Walking in traditional Calligraphy
The Running Script (semi-cursive script) is the most fluid and natural of all styles. It is often compared to a person walking briskly—there is a clear structure, but the movement never stops. For me, practicing Xing Shu is about finding a breathing rhythm. It balances legibility with artistic expression, allowing the Qi (energy) to flow continuously from character to character.
Cursive Script (Cao Shu 草书)
The Dance of the Mind in traditional Calligraphy
Often called “Grass Script,” this is the pinnacle of expressive calligraphy. Characters are simplified and connected in a single, unbroken line. This style is the direct ancestor of my modern abstract work. In Cao Shu, the emotional state of the artist is visible in every turn of the brush. It is not just writing; it is a seismograph of the soul.
3. The Art of Copying
Dialogue with the Ancestors
In Western art, “copying” has a negative connotation. In Chinese tradition, copying a master (Lin Mo) is the highest form of respect and the only path to deep understanding. When I copy a work by Wang Xizhi or Mi Fu, I am not just replicating shapes. I am trying to synchronize my breathing and my movement with a master who lived 1,000 years ago. It is a spiritual transmission.
From Void to Form: Composition
Planning the Flow
Before the brush touches the paper, the calligraphy is already finished in the mind. (Hier das Bild “composing a haiku” einfügen)
Creating a work requires meticulous planning of the “white space” (The Void). As seen in my sketches, I calculate the flow of Qi and the balance between density and emptiness before executing the final stroke. It is a process of mental visualization. Article about this Haiku.
The Evolution of Scripts
A Visual History
My practice involves studying the entire evolution of Chinese writing.
- Oracle Bone Script (Jia Gu Wen): The earliest form, carved into bone. Archaic and pictorial. (upper row)
- Running Script: The fluid, everyday script of the scholar. (lower row)
By understanding the root of a character (its Oracle form), I can better understand its abstract potential in modern art.
Case Study: Applied Tradition
Modern Poetry in Traditional Forms
While I respect the classics, I also apply traditional techniques to contemporary poetry. Below is an example of a Haiku, written in a style that bridges ancient aesthetics with modern melancholy.
光辉与灰烬 (橙梦之尘)
灰颜遮面，
橙梦化灰烬，
笑声成顽石。
He sits at the mirror,
not painting a smile
but wiping away the white
of every laugh he once owned.
Why Tradition Matters Today
You cannot break the rules if you do not know them. My experimental and abstract works draw their strength from these traditional roots. The tension you see in my modern “Zen Brut” paintings exists only because the brush control was forged in the fire of traditional discipline.