Skywave Bamboo Spectrum

Author: Wang Tianbo
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-03-01
Features: First, uphold integrity with dignity. Tianbo possesses the character of bamboo—strong joints, sparse yet lush, enduring snow and frost, and filtering jade and gold. It is said that his life path was rugged and full of hardships. Under the influence of the extreme-left ideology, he was persecuted, labeled a rightist, dismissed from his job, and imprisoned—all due to his lack of worldly wisdom, his straightforward and innocent nature, and his unwavering adherence to justice. This perfectly embodies the spirit of bamboo! Therefore, his focus was not on realistic depictions of waterbanks and rocks or copies of famous works, but on "furious ink for bamboo," a () against an unfair life and an expression of hope for the beautiful. Starting in 1976, the process of rectification was always distant and unheard of for him. On one of his bamboo paintings, he wrote with deep sorrow: "Enduring cold to recognize the times early, yet suddenly reaching eight feet tall. To stretch for lofty ambitions, why care for the delay of spring?" The words reveal his resolve. Thus, his bamboo paintings are proud, disdainful of the mundane, resilient, and vigorous, with a unique structure and demeanor that differ from those of () in history, filled with ruggedness and strength. Second, focus on brushwork. In my article "On Chinese Painting," I once stated: "Chinese painting has a long history and, within the realm of world art, forms a unique system. Its most distinctive feature is brushwork." Tianbo deeply understands this and has practiced it to perfection. In the 1980s and 1990s, Chinese painting theory was chaotic, with conflicting opinions, as if "dark clouds were pressing down on the city, ready to crush it." Some doubted brushwork and hesitated, but Tianbo, with unwavering faith in Chinese painting, firmly grasped the essence of brushwork spirit and adopted an "unchanging in the face of change" attitude toward all baseless arguments. At this time, it was the peak period in his life of vigorously practicing brushwork, even practicing at midnight occasionally. He composed a rhyme: "Let them rave outside the window, I have my own firm resolve. A sheet of Xuan paper, a brush in hand, brushwork cultivation never wavers." In his practice of Qi (breath) and brushwork, he developed a hard muscle on his upper right arm, a feat unheard of among calligraphers and painters throughout history and the ages. I compared and studied the surviving works of () with Tianbo's, and found that his brushwork has indeed achieved a historic breakthrough. His brushwork is dynamic, powerful enough to carry a tripod, resonant to the heavens, and transcendent, all in accordance with the profound principles of art. He used specific brushwork examples to prove his achievements. Third, the value lies in creation. In my article "On Chinese Painting," I wrote: "Brushwork has inherent laws that can continuously develop and enrich." The lofty aspect lies in creating distinct brushwork techniques. While it is relatively easy to vary the subjects of painting, such as landscapes, figures, and flowers and birds, truly creating new brushwork techniques is rare. Bamboo painting, since its inception over a thousand years ago, has had different styles, but the basic techniques have remained the same. With his exceptional talent, profound learning, astonishing brushwork practice, and fearless perseverance, Tianbo created a brand-new brushwork technique for bamboo painting. When painting bamboo trunks, he used varied strokes—repetition, lifting and pressing, pauses, turns—to create a rhythmic flow like music, with momentum that can support the earth and soar to the heavens. For bamboo leaves, he focused on the overall effect, capturing the dynamic, leaning, side, and upright poses, as well as the vigorous vitality, using the rhythm of dramatic singing—、、、、、—to reveal an irresistible life force and a subtle aura, breaking away from the traditional single-stroke, segmented, and fixed combinations like "" and "." He emphasized the overall cohesive effect, opening a new path for bamboo painting. Fourth, calligraphy and inscriptions. This must be mentioned. Many Chinese painters without calligraphy skills cannot truly be called accomplished Chinese painters. Many neglect calligraphy, lack rigorous practice, and have led to a separation of painting and calligraphy, causing a significant decline in the quality of Chinese painting. Perhaps this is the main reason. Tianbo's greatness lies in his refusal to follow the crowd, his independence from conventions, his unwavering belief, and his steadfastness amid turbulent times, while adhering to the fine traditions of Chinese painting and pursuing the path of "brushwork and calligraphy in harmony." This aligns with my long-standing belief that "Chinese calligraphy and painting share the same origin, core, principles, and methods." His bamboo paintings are enriched by calligraphy, and his calligraphy draws inspiration from bamboo painting techniques. His inscriptions and phrases are not only deeply rooted but also imbued with the spirit of bamboo. The words and paintings complement each other perfectly, a level rarely found among () throughout history, and even rarer today.