Trees are a powerful subject in Xieyi painting, depicted through expressive brushwork and washes to capture their unique forms, textures, and symbolic representations of longevity, growth, resilience, and the connection between the human and natural realms, conveying both beauty and a profound appreciation for the cycles of life.
Mountains in Xieyi are depicted through washes and suggestive strokes to capture their grandeur, scale, texture, and symbolic connection to stability, timelessness, and the human-nature relationship, reflecting the artist's emotional response to their beauty, power, and mystery.
"Shu Xing" (calligraphic nature) is a core concept in Xieyi painting, emphasizing how the principles and techniques of calligraphy influence its brushwork, structure, and expressive qualities, reflecting the shared tools, values, and emphasis on balance, rhythm, and a sense of life force.
Xieyi landscapes (shānshuǐ) emphasize grandeur, depth, and qi, using negative space and suggestive brushstrokes to capture the essence, atmosphere, and inner vitality of the natural world, and expressing the artist’s connection to nature and understanding of the Tao.
This article explores the influence of Taoist philosophy on Gongbi painting, highlighting how the art form reflects Taoist ideals of harmony with nature, balance, mindfulness, and simplicity, adding a deeper layer of spiritual and philosophical significance to the artworks.
This article explores how bronze ware reflects ancient Chinese understandings of the natural world, highlighting the detailed representations of animals, plants, and landscapes, and demonstrating the ancient awareness of the interconnectedness of humans and their environment.
Explore the subtle connections between Lishu calligraphy and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in Chinese philosophy, examining how the script’s characteristics reflect these natural forces.