東方琴韻系列創作自述
人物是我創作的總體展現與人生觀的表達。
幼年憑記憶吹奏聽過的卡通歌曲旋律,青少時期接觸民謠吉他,後與莊維仁老師學習古典吉他,與樂友交遊,神遊樂曲意涵,遂創作「琴韻悠悠」,榮獲雙和美展特優,老師讚揚其溫婉含蓄且深具東方文化內涵,形象優美情意雋永。
琴聲即心聲,在琴聲中有對自然的歌詠,達到追求完善人格的理想。有感情的相思怨別,有人生起伏跌宕失意落寞的心聲,藉由小曲品唱,疏發個人胸中意氣與憂思,借琴聲以慰藉心靈;有國仇家恨的悲喜情懷,藉由歌詠人間歡愉節日,美善人間生活。
五年前開始東方琴韻系列創作。在東方哲學思想、文學與藝術的長期薰陶下,文化中的追求個人性靈與完美人格、嚮往山林的自然恬淡,以達到萬物和諧、「天人合一」的境界。首先,我以東方典雅溫婉的仕女演奏各種樂器為主題,再三考究古典髮型、髮飾、服飾、樂器型制及演奏姿態。且以自然環境的水色流光、冷月清輝;或富有東方特色之傳統建築,如瓊樓玉宇、宮廷苑囿之華美;曲橋水榭、紅樓舟舫、梅園節日…等為背景;並在畫面中呈現樂曲意涵及女子閨房逸趣;更融入東方詩詞的雋永意境與人文特色之情懷。我嚮往東方文化那深邃內斂、含蓄典雅的氣質,遂以西方古典油畫寫實技巧,表現東方文明之特色與輝煌,描寫歷史長廊中的人物圖像,釋放心中那份長久深睡的情感記憶。
中國詩詞意境雋永,如詩經蒹葭中的「所謂伊人,在水一方」,水調歌頭中的「但願人長久,千里更嬋娟」,如此優美情意,言盡意不盡,引發內心無限的美好遐思;而作品中的溫婉形象,彷彿更是從詩卷走到我們的眼前一般。詩詞的意境之美是一種不露痕跡的美及神韻之美,豐富我的創作內涵。華人獨愛月,月光皎潔柔和如母愛,也是思鄉團圓情懷之符號,月色溫潤晶瑩引發幽微情思,月之圓缺虧盈,匯聚歷史煙塵,引人遐想。梅蘭竹菊四君子,常作為感物喻志之象徵。如梅花之清奇,在冷冽冬雪依然盛開之生命力,給予吾人完美人格之嚮往;蘭花幽居自處,點明了蘭花清俊超拔、榮辱不驚的品格。都是我作畫的靈感。
藝術是文化的積累與沉澱,如同在自己的文化年輪中,再長出新皮細芽,從文化的內在情感出發,從生命的本身體悟而出的藝術。萬事互相效力,學習過程的積累,都是創作的基石,終將成就自己的藝術殿堂。
Melodies of Oriental Music Instrument—a preface from the artist
“Human Figure” is the total representation of my creativity and expression of value.
The cartoon soundtrack that I recalled and performed as a child; the folk guitar that I played as a teenager; the classical guitar that I learned from Mr. Chuang Wei-Jen are all moments I have shared with people I’ve met in the field of music. I love to wander in the realm of tones and melodies. This is why I created “Ringing Melodies,” which was awarded Special Recognition Award in Shuang Ho Art Exhibition. My teachers and seniors praised my works as being tender, gentle, humble while embodying oriental cultural values that comprise beautiful images and everlasting love.
Melodies are the voice of my heart, which praises Nature and achieves the pursuit of a perfect state of integrity. There are longings and laments as well as ups and downs in life and in mind. These short tones sing my deepest aspirations and concerns. Melodies comfort the weary heart that’s been filled with love and hatred towards the family, the society and the country. By praising the joyful days of life, I attempt to perfect this mortal existence.
Five years ago, I began the creation of “Melodies of Oriental Music Instruments” series. Under the long influence of oriental philosophies, literature and art, I try to achieve personal perfection in spirit and in soul. I long for the simple happiness and peacefulness gained among mountains, where everything in the world co-exist harmoniously so that “heaven and human integrate.” First, the series feature oriental beauties with elegance and grace, playing different musical instruments.
I studied the classical oriental hairstyle, hair ornaments and instruments and how they were played. Some of the backgrounds are watery and bright natural landscapes with cold moon and clear sun. Others are set among traditional oriental constructions, like that of magnificent jade palace, king’s royal garden, zigzagging waterside bridges and crimson towers and fishing boats, plum blossoms holidays, etc. In these images, the meanings of melodies and women’s leisurely fun are combined to fit the oriental poetry’s transcending state and humanity’s care.
I desire the depth and modesty of oriental culture, with its humbleness and gracefulness. Thus, I apply the realistic approach of occidental classical oil painting to express the characteristics and brilliance of oriental culture. I portray the human figures within history and release the dormant emotions that rest in my emotions.
Chinese poetry carries transcendent concepts such as “Reeds and Rushes” in The Book of Odes and Hymns, which depicts “The person whom I think is on the water somewhere,” or the line “ Yet one hopes for longevity despite being a thousand miles apart, still together,” in “Water Song.” These concepts are so infinitely beautiful. With limited words, unlimited imaginations from the heart can be channeled. The tender images in the works emerge from the pages and materialize in front of our eyes. The concepts expressed in poems are implied beauties in spirits that enrich my creative power. Asians treasure the moon exclusively: the moon is bright like the love of mothers. It is also a symbol for family reunion. The moon’s warm glow arouses the most delicate emotions, while its wax and wane gather the momentum and trigger our love for history. Plum flowers, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemum often symbolize the ambitions and the feelings towards life, which lead me to desire a perfect personality. Orchids inhabit a quiet dwelling alone, which shows the outstanding and charming character that overlooks honor or humility. These are all inspirations for me.
Art is the accumulation and contemplation of cultural heritage. As if growing new leaves and branches from the tree rings of our own culture, the artwork starts out as culture’s inner emotions and then matures through life’s revelations. Matters join and support one another witch build up as we learn and become the foundation of creativity, eventually rendering one’s own artistic palace.