News Title｜Taichung City Seaport Art Center

The Taichung City Seaport Art Center is currently presenting the exhibition “Gentle Breeze and Light Clouds – Ink Painting by Lin Ching-Ching” from now until July 20. This exhibition features nearly one hundred representative works by retired professor and artist Lin Ching-Ching, created over the course of more than forty years. Through his mastery of ink painting, Lin expresses deep emotional resonance, conveying his reflections on life and his insights into the life experiences. Art enthusiasts from all walks of life are cordially invited to attend and experience the world of ink painting.

According to Taichung Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung, Professor Lin Ching-Ching, originally from Nantou, has resided in Taichung for 35 years. In the past, he served at the Taichung City Cultural Center (now Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center) and was involved in organizing the first three editions of the Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition. Over the past three decades, the Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition has evolved into a major art event with international influence. During the exhibition’s overseas tours, Professor Lin joined the Cultural Affairs Bureau on several visits abroad, where he personally guided foreign guests and gave live demonstrations, earning widespread acclaim and showcasing the charm of art. His contributions are regarded as a model of citizen diplomacy for Taiwan. His exhibition this time at the Taichung City Seaport Art Center features nearly one hundred representative works, spanning over forty years of artistic creation. The exhibition has been meticulously prepared over an extended period, with Professor Lin even opting for early retirement to devote himself fully to the planning process—an embodiment of his deep passion and unwavering commitment to art. On behalf of Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen, Deputy Mayor Huang extended his highest respect and heartfelt gratitude to Professor Lin, expressing hope for the exhibition’s great success and for it to inspire a broader appreciation of the beauty and emotional depth of ink painting among the citizens of Taichung.

Artist Lin Ching-Ching shared that since retiring, his pace of life has become more leisurely, allowing him to travel frequently and draw inspiration from nature through on-site sketching. In communion with the natural world, he has come to realize that the most moving landscapes are not those seen with the eyes, but those experienced through inner tranquility and composure. Thus, he chose “Gentle Breeze and Light Clouds” as the title of this exhibition, reflecting his original creative intent rooted in serenity and simplicity, as well as his heartfelt return to the joy of ink painting. He warmly invites viewers to experience the spirit and a sense of ease of “gentle breeze and light clouds” through the brushstrokes.

This exhibition is organized into five thematic sections, each representing the artist’s evolving mindset and the spiritual refinement that has emerged through his creative journey and life experiences: (1) Emotions in Scenery – Expressing sentiment through landscapes, where natural imagery becomes a reflection of the artist’s inner emotions. (2) The Implication of Nature – Harmonizing the nature with the mind, conveying the spirit and vitality of the artworks. (3) Chasing Light and Shadow – Utilizing the interplay of light and shadow to create layered visual contrasts between the real and the abstract. (4) Still Waters Run Deep – Depicting the quietude of nature, embodying the wisdom accumulated over time. (5) Transcendence through Harmony – Breaking stylistic boundaries to develop a unique ink painting language and visual style. Highlighted works such as Maple Garden, Turning the Tide, At Ease in Tranquility, Tides Crashing Ashore, Majestic Divine Mountain, and A Land of Strength and Radiance vividly illustrate the dynamic spirit and profound meaning conveyed through Lin Ching-Ching’s brushwork. These pieces exemplify the fusion of tradition and modernity, as well as the interplay between expressiveness and abstraction.

This exhibition is not only a retrospective of artist Lin Ching-Ching’s creative journey but also a profound dialogue between art and the soul. In addition, a special lecture titled “Mountain Light and Water Reflections: A Journey through Taiwanese Ink Painting” will be held during the exhibition period on Saturday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m. The artist himself will lead a guided tour and share insights into his creative process, offering the public an opportunity to delve deeper into the cultural essence of Taiwanese ink painting. All are warmly invited to partake in this enriching artistic experience! For further details, please visit the official website of the Taichung City Seaport Art Center (https://tcsac.taichung.gov.tw/) or follow the center’s Facebook page.