The Ideal of the East

Author: Hu Wei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: The predecessor of Tokyo University of the Arts was the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, established in 1887, and it has now become one of the world's most renowned national art academies. In the early 20th century, some Chinese artists with democratic ideals went to Japan for study and, upon returning, laid a solid foundation for the development of modern art education in China. Pioneering artists such as Li Shu-Tong, Chen Pao-I, Wang Ya-Shen, Wei Tian-Lin, Xu Xing-Zhi, Ding Yan-Yong, Ni Yi-De, Li Hua, and Wang Shi-Kuo all studied in Japan, and many of them furthered their studies at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. With the passage of time, it wasn't until the late 20th century that another national scholarship student, Hu Wei, crossed the sea to Japan to study art at Tokyo University of the Arts. Unlike his predecessors, Hu Wei had already received systematic, comprehensive, and rigorous training in (form-making) at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, one of China's highest art institutions with a long history and academic tradition. Therefore, he chose to pursue deeper studies in Japanese painting, directly entering the third research laboratory of his advisor, Hirayama Ikuo, and studied there for a full decade. This book authentically records Hu Wei's experiences, insights, thoughts, and reflections in Japan, telling the story of a small incident with simplicity and elegance, as if guiding readers into his decade-long journey of study and immersion. He shares his experiences, achievements, and ideals from his ten years of hard work. In Chapter 4 of this book, the teaching style and characteristics of the third research laboratory of the Japanese painting department at Tokyo University of the Arts are introduced in depth, and the artistic charm, unwavering pursuit, and "Eastern Ideal" of his advisor, Hirayama Ikuo, are reviewed. Now, Hu Wei has returned to China with his "Eastern Ideal" and has begun teaching and pioneering research in material and technique in the field of art education. He has brought back new ideas and new perspectives. Only those who truly embody the "Eastern Ideal" can speak of the "Eastern Ideal."