Zhou Sicong

Author: Hu Tianxue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: The painter, drawing upon the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, and weaving it with the wondrous imagination of the human heart. The painter stands between heaven and earth, surrounded by all phenomena. With a fusion of thought and interest, suddenly and swiftly, they wield the brush directly to pursue what they see, hear, and feel. With a resounding cry, they create works in myriad forms, achieving excellence. Our country's painting has deep roots, dating back to Gu Kaizhi in the Jin Dynasty. For over a thousand years, various schools have flourished, with outstanding masters appearing in each generation. From the north to the south, talented artisans emerged, each with distinct styles, forming their own unique traditions. The vast Yangtze River and the majestic Kunlun Mountains are not enough to describe their lofty heights. Later generations, wishing to learn about their details and marvels, find it difficult. I was born unable to paint, but by observing the works of ancient and modern masters and their inevitable changes of the times, I came to understand that learning the rules leads to understanding the lack of rules. The predecessors once said that this art can fully express one's aspirations—was it truly so? Reading through the masterpieces of the past, I feel that their methods are like mirage and water, seemingly present yet elusive; while their lack of rules is like the vast blue sky and clear water, boundless and endless. Our society gathers both ancient and modern works, selecting the finest from masters, describing their lives, artistic philosophies, technical characteristics, and their legacy. This allows readers to see a glimpse of the whole through a part, understand an era's painting through a single painter, and through reading the collections of dozens of famous painters, grasp the of our country's thousands of years of painting civilization. Due to the passage of time and frequent wars, countless famous paintings have been lost or damaged. There are masters whose paintings are lost, paintings that survive but are few in number, and painters who were famous but whose lives and deeds are not recorded. As a result, few illustrations and texts remain, making comprehensive introductions impossible. Thus, we have compiled this collection of several individuals, which is better than having nothing at all. In the past, Ouyang Xun compiled Yiwen Lüju and said, "I wish to make every household rich with jade and every person carry silk, allowing the predecessors to compile their collections, each expressing their own views." This collection embodies that very idea. This book compiles over 130 artworks by the talented female painter Zhou Sicong, providing a detailed introduction to her life and artistic journey. It also includes excerpts from her own artistic theories, a chronology of her life, and comments from various scholars on her paintings. The information is thorough, making it an invaluable book for appreciating and studying the artistic works of this young and brilliant painter who passed away too early.