Author:Hsiung I-Chung

Size:Length:70 x Width:69 (cm)

Size description：187x81x5.9(含框)

Introduction：Hsiung I-Chung (1953-2014), also known by his sobriquet Pao-I, was born in Taichung City and earned a master’s degree in fine arts from Chinese Culture University. During his secondary school years, he was influenced by Chen Te-Wang and Chang Wan-Chuan. Later, at Chinese Culture University’s Department of Fine Arts, he studied under Tseng Shao-Chieh, Chiang Chao-Shen, Chin Chin-Po, Wu Hsueh-Jang, and Ou Hao-Nien, while his theoretical foundation was shaped by Wang Chuang-Wei and Li Lin-Tsan. Hsiung received numerous accolades, including the Chung-Hsing Literary and Art Award, the Chinese Literature and Art Medal, and the Chinese Art Contribution Award. His works have been collected by institutions such as the Presidential Office, the Executive Yuan, and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. He also served as a jury member for national and provincial art exhibitions, a professor and director of the Calligraphy Center at Huafan University’s Fine Arts Department, a special guest artist at Xiling Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, and the president of the Taiwan Ink Painting Association.

His sobriquet “Pao-I” originates from Laozi’s philosophy, meaning “harmonizing spirit and form as one” and embodying the Taoist ideal of merging with nature. While deeply influenced by Taoist philosophy, he also embraced Confucian ideals of humility and balance. Passionate about collecting antiques, he followed the traditional literati practice of finding solace and refinement in art and artifacts. Hsiung’s works masterfully integrate the four artistic perfections of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal engraving, maintaining a strong emphasis on brushwork aesthetics and artistic ambiance. In his later years, inspired by Chang Ta-Chien, he began incorporating splashed ink and splashed color techniques, blending them with “powder-sprinkling” and “layered color” techniques. By using powder blue, soft purple, pink, and mineral green, he enhanced the vibrancy and richness of his compositions.

This artwork features a vast snow-covered mountain as the background, with a withered forest in the foreground, devoid of human figures or secondary elements, evoking an atmosphere of desolation and remoteness. The artist replaces traditional ink shading with powder blue to depict the aloofness and solitude of the snow-covered peaks, while the foreground’s barren trees are outlined in deep ink with subtle touches of brownish-yellow, imparting a sense of tranquility and purity. The expressive brushstrokes and crisp, luminous colors play a pivotal role in conveying the harsh winter atmosphere.

Accession Number:PT09904500

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