By Chengfen Lin / USA 

State of Mind

I recall being really enthusiastic about art during my childhood and constantly wanting to improve. In my lifetime so far, there have been two major turning points. The first was the opportunity I had to develop my abilities at the Bunka Fashion College, and the second was being mentored by Heshi Yu and Chan-Day Yu. The most powerful feature of Teacher Yu is his technique of combining an Eastern artistic spirit with Western abstract expressionism. He is a renowned master in this field. In my years of study, I have gained a new understanding of painting, and my abilities have improved even more. 

On another note, as a Taiwanese person who married an American citizen and lives here in the States, I often miss my hometown. Painting is the only window through which I can express my feelings. The interweaving of thick and light ink in my work reflects my conflicting feelings about cultural differences. The colours incorporated into the paintings express an energy that fills the loneliness in my heart. 

As for the paintings themselves, I think they are a reflection of the state of mind. When staring at the majestic cliffs in a painting, it feels like time has stopped for a moment, and the chaotic thoughts taking up space in your head fade away like clouds drifting off into the horizon. When everything begins to move again, flowing brushstrokes dance as if to a beautiful waltz or fluid Tai Chi movements. They are constantly changing and manifold, while similarly, my gaze never breaks away from the interchange of light and shadow. 

Regarding my work, I always want to create a piece that has a life and story of its own, so that when people view the entire scene, every moment is an unforgettable memory with a long-lasting impression and incites a profound emotional response.