EXHIBITED:
Mind‧Reflection·Transformation: LIU KUO-SUNG , Culture and Tourism Bureau Miaoli City, Miaoli City, November 20-December 8, 2010
ILLUSTRATED:
Mind‧Reflection·Transformation: LIU KUO-SUNG, Culture and Tourism Bureau Miaoli City, Miaoli City, 2010, color illustrated

Catalogue Note:
“Chinese painting is an assemblage of dots and lines. But, the dots and lines are all black. If we could introduce white lines into Chinese painting along with black lines, would not the scope of Chinese painting be broadened?” Liu Kuo-Sung

Liu Kuo-Sung is the most important pioneer of modern ink painting today. Liu’s artistic journey is an epoch-making innovation. From 1961 to 1963, calligraphy in literati paintings and abstract expressionism had a great influence on him. At the same time, he also started to experiment with kuang cao (cursive script) and “stripping the tendons and peeling the skin” technique in a series of abstract landscapes. Liu applied ink and water rubbing of the traditional Chinese “ink pool method” and used ink’s permeability to develop the ink staining technique. All this reflects his interpretation and reproduction of painting methods and his pursuit of overcoming traditional techniques. Adhering to the spirit of“first seek innovation, then perfection,” practicing and advocating innovation stimulated new appearances to Chinese ink painting.

Liu Kuo-Sung was invited to give lectures in Tibet University in 2000. When he visited Mount Everest, he was inspired by the everchanging clouds and the fascinating snow-capped mountains to create the imposing “Tibet” series. The original “stripping the tendons and peeling the skin” technique presents scenery with snow-capped mountains and smoky clouds. Growing up amidst war, he once lived a life in vain, but now he strolls through vast, smoky waters, gazing at a world without bounds. Liu Kuo-Sung has a purified approach to the natural landscape, always depicting desolate landscapes and painting true feelings of his memory.

“Standing Silently: Tibet Series No.127” was created in 2010, the most mature stage of the “Tibet” series. Liu Kuo-Sung intensifies and creates a beautiful texture of the mountains by applying the unique “stripping the tendons and peeling the skin” technique. Rubbing of blue ink reproduces pulsating mist on the snowy Cang Mountain, thus bringing some thickness and light to the artwork. The turbulent flow of the wind, the pulsation of different color levels and the ripples of the clouds allure and thrill viewers. Liu exerts his life's understanding to the fullest through a brush, also reproduces the feelings of the literary men and reflects the freedom of mind through his unique visual experience. Liu Kuo-Sung's works of art reveal a supreme and eternal beauty of nature. The work “Standing Silently: Tibet Series No.127” is a masterpiece affirming Liu's style.