Zhang Tingqun

The Shape of Volition

Zhang Tinqun`s artistic expression is the crystallization of empirical

exploration and interpolation on manifestations of the human

consciousness harnessing volition and life-force into palpable artworks.

Guided by Buddhist pursuits of self-cultivation, day after day and year

after year, Zhang Tingqun yields his brush on paper and canvas with

unfaltering attention and unwavering steadfastness. Charged with serene

mindfulness and fluid momentum, the uninterrupted coherence of his

motivation and will coupled with the ebb and flow of his breath, send

forth a pulse which sets forth the most natural course and shape for each

brush stroke. The visible continuity of seamlessly fused irregularities

extends into an endless and complex mesh of intertwining linear and

ecliptic forms. Hence, just as Imagery and imagination find

representation, the essence of being and willing find expression through

the mind-body unison at the core of Zhang Tingqun`s creative process.

As the brush delivers this will to its destination, it traces a myriad paths

and intersections, rendering the individuality and singularity of each

thread of paint inextricable form the entanglement and profusion of the

stratified pattern. The confluence of chance and consequence,

occurrence and outcome, overlap in the paradigm of nature`s expanse

and inherent simplicity, gliding through time and space vectored by the

artist`s self-determination. The dense disarray of disparate fine lines,

bends and curves in tightly knit webs depict the ultimate chaos- the

potential and impetus beyond systems of order and matter - while also

alluding to the self-regulating equilibrium and intricate balance that

prevails in nature. Nuanced by Baruch Spinoza`s conceptions of the self

and the universe, particularly the analogy between the predictable

manifestation of man`s actions and desires, and the measurable

precision in the behavior of lines, surfaces and volumes, Zhang

Tngqun`s paintings suggests that people`s output, like all known natural

phenomena, can be deduced and quantified through scientific logic and

mathematical calculation. This implies that man`s belief that he is free

and exercises freewill may only hold within the parameters of decisive

laws of Nature. Hence, the artist's mindful will is woven through planar

and crossing realms by deep concentration and attunement to Nature`s

predetermined designs, distilling rich artistic conception and

sophisticated mastery into elements of bare simplicity shaped by the

harmony attained with a visible reality. This approach is omnipresent in

Zhang Tingqun`s art and ancient Oriental philosophies, correlating with

teachings of Xun Zi, as early as China`s Warring States period (479-221

BC): "the unique nature of things can only be perceived through

openness of mind and humbleness of heart", as well as in the Sisyphean

concept of "Samadhi", which implies that profound awareness requires

mental stillness and oneness with the present.

Liang Shuhan Dr.

There seems to be a gigantic energy field in Zhang Tingqun's painting.

The crossed arcs in two-dimensional plane reduce and disintegrate the

concrete shapes till the origin of his own mental world. The sequences

and combinations in the filed full of parallel and crossed arcs, which are

asrigorous as mathematics, constructing repeatedly ‘opposing' powers.

The seemingly tender and thin arcsendows the picture a tension towards

outside the frame, in the sense of layersthey constitute. Modern physics

believes the basic element of nature is tinystring rather than the particle.

Vibrations of different frequencies createenergy waves to form a

multi-dimensional world. Zhang Tingqun's arcs reproduce the

mysterious sense of primitivity. His unfathomable creation is beyond

normal figurative thoughts. Both his transcendence of self-confession

and his trailblazing of new journey, allow him to surpass traditional

painting and enter the realm of metaphysics.

All the artworks in the exhibition are named after the moments of time.

Painted by brush, the image seems like a solemn calligraphy work. The

composition has a distant view without barriers in vision. Such an

elegance can only be perceived through meditation in nature. This is

derived from the past experience of the artist. Traditional training has

made his present painting style. From the balanced arcs, we can feel the

extreme mental stability of the artist during creation. His enduring

persistence and exploration offer him the mental state to re-explore. The

willingness becomes his supporting point. He uses arcs increation,

which are smooth, collide with each other and dissolve, thus forminga

beauty of balance just like the rhythm of music playing on the canvas.

Beauty become the subjective feeling in the context.

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