Ma Guoqiang Ink and Wash Painting of Figures

Author: Ma Guoqiang
Publisher: Henan Fine Arts Publishing House
Book Description:
We can summarize the artistic characteristics of Mr. Ma Guoqiang's painting in six words: upright in form, profound in spirit, and refined in style.
Upright in form refers to a clear lineage of inheritance and innovation, with bold and concise brushwork, elegant and harmonious ink wash, stable and full composition, bright and sincere expression, embodying Confucian elegance and grandeur. Profound in spirit means the mastery of calligraphic brushwork, where the five brushes and seven inks blend seamlessly, powerful yet profound, with abundant inner strength. Refined in style conveys a transcendent and lingering aura throughout the artwork, as subtle as the first moon rising at the horizon, and as clear as springs gurgling through stone crevices.
It can be said that the most outstanding achievement of Chinese painting in the 20th century lies in figure painting, with many ink-wash figure painters tracing their roots to Xu and Jiang. Huang Zhu is also an undeniable milestone, and Mr. Ma Guoqiang's artistic influences largely follow this tradition. However, those who dive deep into the ocean may find pearls—recently, Mr. Ma Guoqiang has pursued relentless refinement, looking back to Ren Bo'nan while staying attuned to the pulse of the times. He blends tradition and reality, extracting the essence and employing it broadly, achieving both form and spirit. His style has transformed dramatically, creating a unique form distinct from his predecessors. His imagery, artistic realm, and brushwork beauty present a distinctive artistic personality, setting him apart as a prominent figure in the contemporary calligraphy scene.
Author Introduction: Ma Guoqiang was born in Wen County, Henan Province, in January 1952. He graduated from the Chinese Painting department of Henan University of Arts. He studied under masters such as Wang Wei, Ding Zhongyi, and Han Ye. In 1982, he was selected for the second session of the Character Painting Creation and Research Class at the China National Academy of Arts (formerly the Chinese Painting Research Institute under the Ministry of Culture). He received guidance from masters like Ye Qianyu and Huang Zhu. Currently, he serves as the President of the Henan Federation of Literature and Arts and the President of the Henan Association of Chinese Ink Painters.
Table of Contents:
Three Essays on the Art of Ma Guoqiang
Builder
Scenic Miao Ridge
Winding Mountain Path
Autumn Twilight in Liangshan
Miao Women of Southeast Guizhou
Morning Breeze
Quiet Miao Border
Gentle Breeze in Yao Village
Embroidery
Morning Breeze in Yi Mountain
Autumn Song in Yao Mountain
Distant Mountains
Head of Dong Village
Three Essays on the Art of Ma Guoqiang
Builder
Scenic Miao Ridge
Winding Mountain Path
Autumn Twilight in Liangshan
Miao Women of Southeast Guizhou
Morning Breeze
Quiet Miao Border
Gentle Breeze in Yao Village
Embroidery
Morning Breeze in Yi Mountain
Autumn Song in Yao Mountain
Distant Mountains
Head of Dong Village
Autumn Clarity
Autumn Song in Yao Mountain
Gentle Breeze
Peak of the Mountains
Golden Grassland
Mother and Daughter
Festival
Banna Market
Snowy Brightness
Snowy Plains (Detail)
Morning Breeze in Liangshan (Detail)
Winding Mountain Path
Cavalry Rider on the Grassland
Three Tibetan Singers
Rider
Golden Plateau
Blue Sky and White Clouds
Elder Mother
Sunlight on the Plateau
Heroic Grassland
Peasant Reading Club
Summer in Hui'an
Migrant Worker
Market
Sunlit Plateau
Son of Snow Mountain
Joyful锅庄舞
Mountain Path
Banana Stone Painting
Sparse Forest and Literary Charm
Autumn Mountains with Setting Sun