The Constitution of Shanshui: Landscape and Geomancy

Subject
Painting
Location
The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts China Centre
Dates
2020.3.23 - 2020.4.3
Tutor
Ding Xiyuan Lin Haizhong
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Part 1: In a series of thematic lectures, Prof. Ding Xiyuan analyses the formation of Chinese landscape painting (shanshui), explain the ‘five elements’ theory embedded in shanshui art, and introduce theories of geomancy reflected through shanshui. The lectures include an analysis of historical masterpieces, which allows a deeper insight into the history and thought of the above-mentioned narratives and theories. This is a unique and valuable learning opportunity both for practitioners and lovers of shanshui art.

Part 2: This course focuses on the compositional structure of Chinese landscape painting (shanshui) as the key thread in establishing a foundational understanding of the genre. Specifically, concentration will first be on brushwork formation, and then continue to the study of painting techniques for the two most fundamental elements of Chinese landscape art—rocks and trees—through both copying old master paintings and sketching from nature. The next topic of study is the methodology of placement in the composition, which is the core of shanshui painting, and the means by which the ancients encapsulated the formal codes of the natural world. Within a period of two weeks, students complete two study projects: a study of rocks and trees based on copying, and a landscape composition created by painting in nature.
 

Tutor biography

Ding Xiyuan

Ding Xiyuan, Renowned art historian Prof. Ding Xiyuan’s main research areas include modern Chinese painting and early Chinese painting from the Jin to Yuan dynasties. Prof. Ding completed his graduate studies at the Chinese National Academy of Arts in 1978, where he studied painting with Cai Ruohong and Wang Chaowen, and Chinese aesthetics and painting theory with Zong Baihua and Wu Lifu, among others. In his eminent career he has conducted research and lectured in academic and museum institutions in Japan, Europe and the United States. From 1985 to to 1995 he was vice-director of the Shanghai Academy of Art, where he expanded intellectual and artistic exchanges with scholars, theorists and artists from around the globe. Currently he is a senior researcher at the Shanghai Art Museum, part-time professor at Fudan University, professor of painting at Shanghai Chinese Art Academy, and vice director of the Lin Fengmian Research Society.

Lin Haizhong

Dr. Lin Haizhong, studio name Woxiasan, is a professor and doctoral advisor in the Chinese Painting department of the China Academy of Art, and deputy director of the CAA’s Centre for the Authentication of Painting and Calligraphy. As an ink painter, Lin Haizhong is strongly influenced by Zen philosophy and advocates the possibility of painting as a practice of spiritual enlightenment. His works can be found in the collections of the British Museum and the National Museum of China, and in Lingyin Temple.