35 artists of the Haipai Style (an avant-garde "East Meets West" style that emerged in Shanghai in the 20th century) are invited to participate in "Time · Essence — Shanghai Contemporary Chinese Ink Artist Nomination Exhibition." Due to objective reasons, we were unable to invite all the outstanding artists of this movement to participate in this exhibition.

This works in this exhibition are analyzed through three areas: traditional, innovative, and conceptual. These works show the unceasing exploration and pursuit of these Haipai artists in the development of contemporary ink painting. Some of these exhibited artists are teachers at colleges and universities, some work in Chinese painting academies, some in calligraphy academies, and some come from research institutes. But no matter their professional occupation, all of these artists are united by their dreams of preserving tradition and their resolution in perpetuating Chinese ink painting.

Of the artists participating in this exhibition, the first person we think of is Mr. Chen Peiqiu. Mr. Chen can be thought of as a classical representation of traditional Chinese painting iconography. As a successor to traditional Chinese painting, Mr. Chen’s art is an amalgamation of refined brushstrokes, traditional ink, Western colors, and a sensibility texture, proportion, and movement in landscape. The resulting work is one of that lives and breathes traditional culture.

In the realm of innovative painting, we must look towards a new wave of artists influenced by Western thought. Their visions are broader, and their works place a new emphasis on aesthetics and narrative. Yet, the interest and sympathy aroused by their works equivocal and far from straightforward; their works are read like narrative poems, slowly and diligently.

In recent years, ink paintings are usually characterized by gong bi ("fine brush painting"). Yet, the contents of these paintings are turning towards an exploration of the meaning of ink and wash painting. The addition of mixed media, the ability to traverse inner and outer worlds, and the artistic language of pen and ink are all used to explore both the human and material world. This is what is meant by "simple paintings, pure riches."

No matter their method of painting, these artists are rooted in the fertile cultural soil of Chinese tradition. When trends change with generations, only by inheriting the spirit of the Chinese people can they continue to innovate. This is exactly the purpose of this exhibition.