Ink and Inspiration

As autumn deepens, FQM is pleased to present the year-end group exhibition, Ink and Inspiration.

At the heart of East Asian painting and calligraphy is a deep understanding of the “brush,” and inseparable from that is the use of “ink.” Together, brush and ink have given rise to artistic traditions that have evolved over thousands of years and continue to influence the modern world today. This dynamic interplay between simplicity and complexity—depth and breadth—creates endless possibilities, much like the ancient game of Go, where simple rules lead to infinite strategies.
The theme of this exhibition is drawn from a plaque by Yang Renkai, titled Ink and Inspiration. Yang Renkai was a prominent member of the appraisal team that authenticated Chinese paintings and calligraphy in the early years of the People’s Republic of China. He conducted extensive research on priceless works lost from the Forbidden City during the late Qing dynasty, rediscovering treasures like Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Remarkably, he even pieced together Mi Fu’s masterpiece Poems on the Tiao Creek from scraps of paper.

In 1975, Yang Renkai visited the U.S. to study Chinese paintings and calligraphy in American museums, and he wrote widely about his findings. He also viewed private collections in the U.S., gaining a deep appreciation for how these works were treasured abroad. In 2006, at the age of 91, Yang Renkai created the current work, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to brush and ink. His work serves as a reflection of FQM’s long-standing mission to celebrate these artistic traditions.
This exhibition features works by Huang Junbi (1898-1991) and Hu Yefu (1908-1980), representing traditional approaches to brush and ink. We also showcase an early work from 1941 by C. C. Wang, which captures his youthful obsession with mastering brush techniques. This piece is contrasted with a later work from Wang’s mature years, revealing the evolution of his artistry. Yu Peng (1955-2014) brings a fresh, unconventional approach to brushwork, introducing bold colors and innovative compositions that pushed the boundaries of ink painting at the turn of the 20th century. Chen Danqing (b. 1953), known primarily for his oil paintings, demonstrates a deep respect for traditional calligraphy, with brushwork that recalls the style of Ming dynasty masters. Finally, the collaborative work of Michael Cherney (b. 1969) and Arnold Chang (b. 1954) represents the modern extension of brush and ink into the contemporary art world, where tradition and innovation meet.
Hu Yefu (1908-1980) was a celebrated 20th-century Chinese painter known for his meticulous gongbi style, particularly in portraits of elegant women and figures, which helped establish his place in the Shanghai School of art. Influenced by Ming dynasty painter Qiu Ying, Hu perfected the use of fine, iron-wire-like lines to create precise, lively forms. His paintings combine traditional gongbi techniques with his own innovations, achieving both technical skill and a distinct artistic flair. In his later years at Duoyunxuan, he studied many authentic ancient paintings, which brought greater depth and stability to his work, showcasing his mastery of brush and ink. Hu Yefu’s linework is remarkably layered, conveying subtle emotion beyond mere form. In Oxherding, for example, he uses gentle, flowing lines to capture the form of an ox and a cow, depicting a quiet intimacy between them. His brushstrokes, soft and smoke-like, precisely define their figures, while the fluid lines hint at a delicate connection, revealing Hu’s skill in expressing mood through form. Through this deep exploration of brush and ink, Hu achieved a unified balance of structure and atmosphere, setting a high standard for gongbi painting in the 20th century.
- Hu Yefo, Herd Boy and Buffaloes
Huang Junbi 黄君壁, Flying Waterfall on a Lonely Mountain 空山飛瀑, 1971, ink on paper, mounted for framing.19 1/2 x 29 in | 49.5 x 73.7 cm

As a renowned artist and educator in 20th-century Chinese art, Huang Junbi (1898-1991) was celebrated for his mastery of traditional landscape painting and his dedication to advancing modern art education. After relocating to Taiwan in 1948, he led the Fine Arts Department at National Taiwan Normal University for 22 years, championing the modernization of traditional art education and leaving a profound impact on art creation and education in Taiwan. Alongside Zhang Daqian and Pu Ru, he became known as one of the “Three Masters Across the Sea,” developing a distinctive style characterized by solid, harmonious brushstrokes that conveyed elegance and simplicity.

By the early 1970s, as his style reached full maturity, Huang’s work took on an increasingly grand and powerful tone. Approaching his seventies, he drew inspiration from nature, blending vast landscapes with his own emotions to produce compositions that fused traditional serenity with modern aesthetics. Known for his depictions of towering mountains and cascading waterfalls, his works from this period reveal an impressive momentum and sophisticated structure. His steady, delicate brushwork and varied ink layers—especially in his rendering of waterfalls—achieve both weight and elegance, showing a balance of expressive freedom and traditional form. This piece, distinct from his typical late-period works, exemplifies his more liberated freehand style, built upon his traditional mountain and waterfall scenes. It is through this balance of mastery and expressive freedom that Huang’s work speaks to the enduring vitality and innovation of brush and ink.
Yu Peng 于彭

Tranquil Delight of the Pond 水塘清趣, 1990

ink on paper

39 1/2 x 27 1/2 in | 100.3 x 69.8 cm

Born in Taipei, Yu Peng is a renowned self-taught artist and a prominent figure in contemporary ink painting in Taiwan. He became active during the resurgence of new literati ink art in the mid-1980s, which inspired him to travel extensively in Europe and America, prompting a re-evaluation of his cultural roots. In 1986, a fortuitous trip to China opened a new chapter in his artistic journey, blending traditional influences with contemporary expressions. Yu Peng is celebrated for his mastery of baimiao (fine line) technique to create ink art that embody a classical elegance infused with a modern sense of freedom. Pond Bliss exudes a grand and atmospheric quality, showcasing delicate brushwork and layered ink washes that beautifully capture the essence of impressionistic lotus. Early in his career, he developed a strong ability for figurative drawing, which later transformed into stunning compositions in his middle and late periods. His works have been collected by major institutions such as the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, solidifying Yu Peng's legacy as a significant figure in the evolution of modern ink painting.
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