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SPONSORED: GOCA Space exhibition ‘The Ink of Life’ opens Sunday
One of the many pieces of art on display at the GOCA Space “Ink of Life” exhibition by Zheng Hui Lan at Vineridge Academy which opened on Oct. 27. SUPPLIED

EXHIBITION TITLE  

ZhengHui Lan: The Ink of Life

ARTIST  

ZhengHui Lan

CURATOR  

Jason Gao

DURATION   

Oct. 27 to Nov. 26

VENUE  

GOCA space
1875 Niagara Stone Rd. (inside Vineridge Academy)
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. L0S 1J0

GOCA space is pleased to announce that ZhengHui Lan’s latest solo exhibition in gallery, “The Ink of Life,” will be presented on Oct. 27. It will start at 3 p.m. Curated by Jason Gao, this exhibition will feature more than 20 works created by the artist in recent years and will run until Nov. 26.

Exhibition Preface 

As one of the most influential contemporary Chinese ink artists, ZhengHui Lan has established a cornerstone for the structural expression of “heavy ink wash” with his unique, large-scale paper painting style.

His artistic pursuit focuses on the exploration of a universal aesthetic structure that draws from the fusion of multicultural integration. His works are treasured by important museums, galleries, and private collectors around the world.

Structural expression is the essence of Lan’s heavy ink wash, and life consciousness is another important spiritual core of his work.

What exactly is the essential role of art? It is this question that has permeated Lan’s lifelong pursuit of creative exploration.

In Lan’s view, good art should not be constrained by external expectations. Society should not demand what artists focus on, critique, or praise certain things, because this would lead artists to functional expression, hindering their pure artistic expression.

In Lan’s eyes, art is to show the value and significance of life itself.

As Lan said, the fundamental task of an artist is to present his inner mental sensitivity through a paintbrush to present a new life on paper.

For artists, the most profound and fulfilling experience of existence is their inner spirit. All of their creativity and originality are built upon this sensitivity.

The artist’s task is to express this sensitivity in their works, to present to the audience the richness, delicacy, or profound heaviness contained in the snippets of life — this is the creative power of art. 

In a society where practicality reigns supreme when artists still choose to create art with their own lives and souls to fulfill a deep-seated mission and sense of pride, perhaps that is where the true value of art lies.

As Lan puts it: “Art is the ink of life.”

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