Tag: Chinese Painting
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A Conversation with a Skull
In this post, I share one of my favorite Daoist stories: Zhuangzi’s “The Death’s-Head.” It offers a clear, direct perspective on life, death, and the burdens we carry. To accompany the text, I included several of my own skull paintings that reflect my thoughts on form, emptiness, and the natural balance of yin and yang.
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When the World Shatters
This article explores the systemic collapse of our modern world, where the high art of diplomacy is being replaced by the “right of the strongest” and international institutions are systematically undermined. From the razed olive groves in Gaza to the manipulation of global financial markets through leveraged options, the text examines how greed and the…
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Dot and Emptiness: The Essence of Chinese Art
An article about the significance of Dot and Emptiness in Chinese artistic traditions. This theme reveals the essence of Chinese painting after my lecture from January 9, 2026
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Don’t let the old man in
Don’t let the old man in is more than just a song title; it is a directive for maintaining an open spirit against bitterness. This article explores that mindset by contrasting striking political imagery with the artistic independence of my 2025 Yearbook, proving that staying young is a matter of attitude, not age.
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Tao and Zen again: Applying Eastern Philosophy to Contemporary Ink Painting
Tao and Zen, along with minimalism, became my focus during a forced pause due to illness. This short article shares how fever dreams led to abstract works that explore the tension between Yin and Yang—an attempt to artistically grasp our world, which has been thrown off balance.
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Terra Dystopia
Terra Dystopia, a new series of artworks, serves as the starting point for an essay on the core characteristics of a dystopian society, questioning how many of these once-fictional traits have become our reality.
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The Abundance of Modesty
Delving into Daoist philosophy and the pictographic wisdom of Chinese calligraphy, this article unpacks the ancient proverb that “Modesty Brings Abundance” (謙受益). Grounding this profound concept in personal experiences, the author reflects on how the humility of an “empty vessel” allows one to receive a true overflow of friendship, knowledge, and spiritual wealth.
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Cracks in the Silence
“Cracks in the silence” is about our fractured times and the eroding foundation of global rules and humanity. I initially wanted to write a political article about this rising pressure and fading reason. But I discarded the idea—those who would read it already know how the game is played. In this post, I reflect on…
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State of the Art 2025
State of the Art 2025 is my contribution this year to an ongoing series of “self-portraits.” For years, these pieces have documented my creative journey, reflecting the current status of my work.
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Spring Potpourri
Spring potpourri. Embrace spring! My latest post shares moments of peace found in nature’s embrace, as well as delicious seasonal delights.
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Nothingness in Color
Nothingness in Color continues the thought experiment that began with the journey to the Zen master—evolving beyond monochrome, embracing color, and preserving the essence of minimalism
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Goodbye to the Winter
In traditional Chinese painting, the unpainted white space is often considered more important than the black ink. In this post, I challenge this balance of opposites by painting on black paper, shifting the focus so the unpainted black areas demand special attention. I share three new abstract works that explore the journey from winter’s darkness…
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Depression: A Journey Through the Long Winter.
A long, seemingly endless winter is finally behind me. I tried to channel this extended dark period into my art, looking deep within myself. In this post, I share these new works. They are not a collection of horrors, but rather a creative passage through the cold and darkness before the promise of spring brings…
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Journey to the Zen Master
In the second part of our journey to the Zen Master, I reflect on what originally sparked this project: my past experiences traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway. I share an unexpected photo that connects to part one and explain why I discarded my initial concept of depicting a child’s journey. Instead, as the series progresses,…
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The Journey to the Zen Master
In the first part of our journey to the Zen Master, I reflect on my five-decade philosophical connection to Zen and Daoism. Since I do not have a physical master, this journey is purely a mental exercise. In this series, I attempt to capture an abstract experience through my artwork, highlighting the essential balance of…
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The Dao of Annual Planning in 2024
A look at annual artistic planning and how creative priorities evolve over time. The article reflects on long‑term projects, shifting focus, the balance between structure and intuition, and the ongoing process of aligning artistic goals with personal development.
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Emperor Hui Zong: When Rulers Still Loved Art
A reflection on Emperor Hui Zong’s unique artistic vision, his elegant brushwork, Daoist‑inspired aesthetics and the refined cultural atmosphere of his court. The article explores how his sensitivity, poetry and innovation shaped Chinese art and continue to resonate today.
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Wabi Sabi and the Aesthetics of Imperfection
In this article, I share my personal approach to Wabi Sabi, a philosophy deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism and Daoism. Going beyond the well-known art of repairing broken pottery, I explore the natural balance of perfection and imperfection through my own recent paintings.
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Theme and Variations
In the series “Theme and Variations about a Blossom in Autumn,” the delicate image of a fading blossom takes center stage, offering an allusion to the graceful aging of a young lady.
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Daoist Aspects in My Paintings
A deep dive into Daoist influences in contemporary ink painting, focusing on emptiness, opposites, Zen elements and the interplay with quantum‑physics concepts. This article reflects on Nothingness, minimalism, perception and the resonance between philosophy and artistic practice.
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What is Reality? What is Nothingness?
What is reality? Our understanding of it constantly evolves—from once believing the Earth was flat to now observing the universe through the Hubble Space Telescope and quantum computing. In this post, I examine how modern science and different philosophical traditions perceive reality and nothingness. It is especially fascinating to see how quantum physics is beginning…
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Visit of the old Zen Master and other Nonzens
I don’t actually know a physical Zen master, but his presence is still felt. In this post, I explore him as a teacher through a few grains of wisdom and semi-haiku. I also share my attempts to visually portray this master by finding the exact line where the concrete and the abstract meet. It is…
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Summer Inventory
I conduct a summer inventory twice a year to bring a sense of order to my paintings. In this post, I share a diverse collection of hidden works and high-quality “leftovers” that did not quite fit into previous articles. Revisiting and reworking these forgotten pieces reflects the essential balance of opposites—finding value in what was…
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Can We Hear a Painting?
Can we hear a painting? In this post, I explore the age-old challenge of translating music into visual art. From ancient rock paintings to Roberto Matta’s surrealist interpretations of Mozart, we look at how artists try to bridge the gap between sight and sound. Capturing this intersection is another fascinating exercise in the essential balance…
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Emptiness, Space, and Depth
Many artists explore space and depth in their work, qualities that are often less prominent in modern painting. In this post, I examine these themes and share how navigating a recent crisis led me to simplify and reduce my own art to its core. This process of release is deeply inspired by Zen Buddhism and…
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Essence in Art: Less is More
A reflection on the essence in art, exploring reduction, clarity and presence. The article examines how removing the non‑essential reveals deeper meaning, how simplicity sharpens perception, and how artistic expression becomes more direct when guided by essential qualities.
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Wu Wei a Key Term. Daoist Talks (X)
Wu Wei (無為) is a Chinese term that literally means “non-action” or “non-doing” or in my opinion better: effortless action. For a long time, the West has accused the Chinese of being lazy because of misinterpreting this term. Being lazy is, of course, not the case, quite the opposite.
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day dream job
A reflection on daydreaming as a creative state, exploring drifting thoughts, intuitive imagery and gentle abstraction. The article examines how imagination flows into artistic expression, how wandering attention reveals new motifs, and how daydreams shape subtle shifts in perception.
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The Flow of Qi in Chinese Ink Painting
An in-depth look at composition, negative space, and the flow of qi in Chinese ink painting, compared with a Western ink work by André Masson.
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Wabi-Sabi, Japanese Paper & the Beauty of Empty Space
On wabi-sabi minimalism, the sensory beauty of Japanese and Chinese paper, and Tanizaki Jun’ichiro’s reflections on white space and shadow in Asian aesthetics
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Bada Shanren & the Daoist Concept of Ziran (Naturalness)
Ziran is a fundamental concept in Taoism that can be understood as “naturalness” or “spontaneity.” It refers to the inherent nature and self-so of all things, emphasizing the importance of following the natural flow of the universe rather than resisting or attempting to control it.
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Ego vs. Self in Daoism: A Western & Asian View
We all have an ego, but a misguided one can lead to suffering for ourselves and others. In this post, I contrast the Western understanding of the ego with the perspectives of Daoism and Zen Buddhism, and explore how an untamed ego can make even the most powerful people stumble.
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Dao in Chinese Poetry. Daoist Talks (VII).
A brief note on Daoist ideas within Chinese poetry. The post comments on themes such as emptiness, nature, balance and the subtle way classical poets hint at the Dao without naming it. It keeps a calm, reflective tone and pairs the text with a small ink piece echoing the same spirit.
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Daoist talks (VI) Principles of Dao in Painting
As discussed in my previous art theory articles, Chinese painting over the last millennium is deeply rooted in Daoist ideas. It is safe to say that Chinese xie-yi (freehand painting) is essentially applied Daoism. Today, I examine an often overlooked aspect of Asian art theory that is crucial for understanding this style: living in harmony…
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Liang Kai: The Story of Eight Eminent Monks – Daoist talks (IV)
As both a painter and an art historian, Liang Kai’s “The Story of Eight Eminent Monks” holds a special place in my heart. In this post, I examine this important scroll and discuss the fluid boundaries between Daoism, Zen, and Buddhism in China. Unlike the strict religious divisions often found in the West, Chinese philosophy…
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Daoist Talks (III): The Cosmos in One Dot
In this third Daoist Talk, Friedrich Zettl explores the dot as the smallest yet most powerful element of Chinese painting. Drawing on Daoist philosophy, mindfulness, xieyi and the work of Shi Tao, the essay examines how a single brushstroke can express the principles of nature, consciousness and the cosmos.
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Daoist Talks (II): The Basics
In Daoist Talks II, Friedrich Zettl explores the relationship between Daoism and Chinese painting, from xieyi and calligraphy to yin and yang, qi, wu wei and the different ways Chinese and Western artists approach nature.
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Hakuin’s Koan: The Sound of One Hand Clapping
I will continue posting new articles every two weeks. Today, we revisit the challenging concept of the “existence of the nonexistence” through Hakuin Ekaku’s famous kōan, “The sound of one hand clapping.” I am sharing an older painting where I explored this paradox graphically. Rather than literally illustrating a sound, this piece of Zen-inspired art…
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goodbye beijing, hello chongqing
My upcoming exhibition has been relocated from Beijing to the Hong Art Museum in Chongqing. While it is a bit unfair that my paintings travel more than I do, the show will now run for eight weeks instead of four. This venue change brings back vivid memories of my earlier visits to the city. In…
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now and zen and later
It can be annoying how twisted the Western approach to Zen often is. The phrase “Zen moment” doesn’t even exist in Japanese or Chinese, and my understanding of the subject has nothing to do with incense sticks, YouTube Reiki music, or herbal tea. I am bringing this up because, for decades, I have constantly tried…
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Ophelia 2022
Most art lovers associate the name Ophelia with Sir John Everett Millais’s famous Pre-Raphaelite painting. This work also played an important role for me as I toyed with ideas for a new abstract surrealism. While Pre-Raphaelite works are not explicitly surreal, they hold elements that point to later surrealist movements. I wanted to approach Ophelia…
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front page in Chinese newspaper again
The 光明日报 guangming daily has published a quite detailed report about me, and that on the front page. Last year an article about me, with a focus on calligraphy, appeared in this important newspaper,
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teaser for next exhibition
I’ve been needing a few short video clips for my work for a long time. With a little effort I was able to get something going myself, but then the result was too boring for me and I left this task to someone else.
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etudes
Etudes: If one looks up the English-language equivalent of the French term études in conventional dictionaries, the result is generally “studies”. Only when you translate it from a music-theoretical point of view do you come up with “etudes”.
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metaverse (III)
the beginning and the end Short preliminary remark If I just started with my thoughts, there would be a certain danger of someone shouting: “Hey, that’s not scientific!” Two preliminary remarks are therefore permitted. All our thinking is based on previously thought and mostly we deal with premises. Such as A $100 bill has a…
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studies for oil paintings
This week I did some studies on landscape, seascape and organic theme. 3 representative works are presented today.
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my kind of metaverse (I)
In February I started playing around with an idea, but I don’t know if it will become a series yet: It’s dedicated to the metaverse.
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Flyer for my Beijing Exhibition
Flyer for my exhibition in Beijing this spring. Honoring 50 years of cultural exchange between Europe and China.
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Cats in Chinese Painting
Let’s play a game: comparing three painted cats to explore Western and Asian perspectives on art. While Western eyes often prefer detailed, cute animals that trigger emotions, Chinese master Zhu Da’s cat appears to do nothing and have nothing. By stripping away the superfluous, Zhu Da captures the pure essence of the animal—similar to Heidegger’s…
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What a dot can do
While mindfulness is gaining importance today, many struggle to practice it sensibly. Traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy offer a profound approach to this. In this art, every element—even a single dot—must be spiritually permeated. The absolute core of this practice is the play of opposites, the natural balance of yin and yang that I often…
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new works in abstract surrealism
I often put aside started paintings to gain emotional distance, and the piece I am showing today is a typical example. I started it in December and stepped away after reaching a dead end. While I am most creative in the evenings, I always have to be careful not to work too long. When my…
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waltzing corona
My first painting this year is this triptych. I will take this as an opportunity to present my point of view, because if I can manage to explain the essential points clearly, you may look at Chinese art from a different perspective in the future.
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remembering a landscape
Lately, I have been painting landscapes based on ideas and memories rather than scenes from nature. The composition is simple, but that is exactly what I found challenging. I have modified this theme repeatedly over the last 30 years. This time, I explore the aspect of memory through the concept of a “negative of a…
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state of the art – a couple of self portraits
I painted a self-portrait every year for a series called “State of the Art,” but stopped because I didn’t want to seem narcissistic. But what artist isn’t? The 2021 piece reflects the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 crisis, carrying a “this is not me” sentiment similar to Magritte’s famous pipe. Looking back at older works…
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power, elegance and savageness
The question of beauty is becoming more central to my work. Painting beautiful pictures was never my primary concern, but I have to focus on it now. Creating something beautiful without appearing compliant is a good compromise, an idea that shapes my upcoming series of dragons. In sharp contrast, I am working on another series…
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The Essence of Chinese Painting (IX)
The concept of “nothing” or void (虚 xū) is central to Chinese art, Daoism, and Chan Buddhism. This post explores how Western and Chinese painters handle empty space differently. While Monet adds paint to represent light on water, Chinese artists leave the paper blank. This contrast highlights the Daoist balance of yin and yang—where the…
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Mu Qi. 6 Persimmons – an interpretation
“Six Persimmons” by the 13th-century monk Muqi is a masterpiece of Chan Buddhist art, yet its deeper meaning is rarely analyzed. Muqi chose mundane fruits to avoid traditional symbolism and viewer attachment. The arrangement actually represents the wheel of life, moving from the emptiness of an Enso to youth, the zenith of existence, and finally…
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Another Work after Huang Binhong – 黄宾虹
My Chinese colleagues were impressed by a recent painting of mine, and a well-known painter added his calligraphy to it. This is a great honor. Many ancient Chinese pictures feature inscriptions by other artists. Western art lovers often wonder about the many seals on these works. Most are collector’s seals that show who owned the…
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A simple picture and yet a treasure – ZHA Shibiao
Today we look at a small album sheet by Zha Shibiao. The scene of an old man rowing a boat seems simple, but it holds deep structural mastery. Zha uses the zhu-ke (host and guest) concept with two intertwined trees. This relies on the tension of opposites—the Daoist balance of yin and yang—contrasting the old,…
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copying old masters – 黄宾虹
When copying Chinese paintings, one should grasp the spirit (qi 气) of the painting. The original on the left, my copies on the right.
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The Essence of Chinese Painting (III)
In part three of “The Essence of Chinese Painting,” we look at composition. The 20th-century artist Pan Tianshou used a structured four-phase approach to guide the viewer’s eye: qǐ (start), chéng (undertake), zhuǎn (turn), and jié (merge). But a successful picture is never just about where the brush goes. A strong composition contrasts solid, painted…
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analyzing a simple painting by Qi Baishi 齐白石
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 2. Analyzing a the painting Chinese cabbage and peppers by Qi Baishi 齐白石
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The Principle of the Balance in Chinese Painting
In the first part of “The Essence of Chinese Painting,” I explore the fundamental principle of dynamic balance. Unlike Western art, which relies on a static scale, Chinese painting uses a dynamic scale. This approach contrasts heavy, visible brushstrokes with the powerful counterweight of empty space. Whether in a single character or Ma Yuan’s one-corner…
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protective masks in 1980 in beijing
Oil painting “Protective masks in Beijing” from 1980. It shows people with protective masks in front of the “democracy wall”.
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student prank with Wang Ziwu 王子武
During my time at the academy in Beijing, I recommended the then-unknown Xi’an painter Wang Ziwu. He was invited and, despite being shy, painted an excellent portrait of me. The next day, he gifted me and my Australian colleague Claire two paintings. As a prank, I painted a copy of Claire’s picture and swapped it…
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when I first met Lu Yanshao 陸儼少
In the late 1980s, I studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. On Saturday mornings, the Academy invited well-known painters to demonstrate their techniques. I suggested inviting the Shanghai landscape painter Lu Yanshao. I always assumed his powerful, dynamic pictures were painted with great speed. But watching him work revealed a clear…