This statment was written on the eve of the inaugural exhibition with East Gallery

It is my honor to be invited by Albert Hsiao an exhibit my works on paper at East Gallery, Taipei. We planned this exhibition for a long time.

I chose small black- and color-ink paintings for this exhibition for two main reasons: first, I want to draw attention to some unique features they possess. These paintings show a unique, unpredictable, haphazard effect. And, because I think this feature is very important, I am attempting to highlight this effect in my work; second, I want to reinforce the impact of contrast between colors to maximize the visual stimulation on viewers directly and powerfully.

Obviously, my drawing in pen and ink is very different from traditional ink painting but I insist on implementing the ideas of traditional Chinese aesthetics. I work hard on Xie He’s six principles of Chinese painting: “Resonance of Spirit,” “Bone Method,” “Correspondence to the Object,” “Suitability to Type,” “Division and Planning,” and “Transmission by Copying.”

In university, my major was Chinese painting. Although I went through phases of oil painting, behavior and conceptual photography during the past 20 years; I wish to continue to deepen creatively in black- and color-ink painting. I can use traditional tools and skills competently; however, my intent is not to transform the style vigorously like many contemporary Chinese artists do. I just want to treat my art sincerely and create my own style.

I’m fascinated by spectator-style rendering. In addition, I would like to resolve inner anxiety, fear and occasionally haunted nightmares. I want to describe a sort of mood of the times. Also, I am confident about my attitude toward the backdrop of contemporary culture, social phenomenon, as well as everyday experience. This is not aesthetic taste taken from ordinary people; it is a reality that I am living in, with uncertainty and anxiety.

In comparison to my oil paintings, behavior, and conceptual photography; my black- and color-ink paintings are also a manifestation of presence. They are random, controllable, simple but rich with levels of colors and provide me with a wide space for performance. They can help me to capture those fleeting moments of thought and unexpected surprises at any time in the process: dripping ink dots, freely traced pen … so fascinate me!

Hopefully, this won’t disappoint.

Wang Jinsong, Beijing, Oct. 19, 2012