Guangzhou, July 20, 2025 – Shaoren Gou, International Arts News — From July 5 to July 16, the historic city of Guangzhou was host to a landmark cultural event: the “Splendid Colors of Heaven and Earth – Lingnan Calligraphy and Painting Masters Invitational Exhibition”, held at the Gao Jianfu Memorial Hall. Bringing together over sixty leading Lingnan artists, this exhibition offered a vivid and profound exploration of Southern China’s rich artistic legacy, while casting new light on the evolution of Lingnan art in a modern context.
This major event was co-sponsored by the Guangdong Association of Calligraphy Critics, the Guangdong Fine Art Critics Association, and the Guangdong Zhiyuan Art Museum, and supported by the Gao Jianfu Memorial Hall and the Guangdong Ruixiang Charity Foundation. As it drew to a close, it left behind more than just accolades — it reaffirmed the enduring power of Chinese art rooted in both cultural tradition and bold innovation.
A Tribute to Gao Jianfu and the Spirit of Lingnan
The Gao Jianfu Memorial Hall, named after one of the great founders of modern Chinese painting and the Lingnan School, provided a setting that was not only symbolic but historically resonant. Gao Jianfu (1879–1951) was a pioneer of integrating Western artistic techniques with traditional Chinese ink painting. His artistic philosophy — that art must reflect the spirit of the age and serve the people — was echoed throughout the exhibition.
Li Yan, the director of the Memorial Hall, emphasized the significance of hosting such a powerful and dynamic exhibition in Gao's former residence. “This is not just a display of artworks. It is a spiritual conversation with Mr. Gao’s artistic ideals — a dialogue across time,” she said.
Wang Shiguo, Chairman of the Guangdong Association of Calligraphy Critics, reflected on Gao Jianfu’s philosophy: “He believed art must respond to its time, and that calligraphy and painting must carry a conscience. That tradition continues here.”
The Artists: A Dialogue Across Generations
The exhibition featured works from established masters as well as rising talents, representing a full spectrum of artistic thought and style within the Lingnan tradition. From delicate line paintings and refined literati brushwork to explosive splashes of color and abstract calligraphy, the show underscored both diversity and cohesion within the modern Lingnan movement.
Among the standout artists was Venerable Ruixiang, a monk-artist whose Guanyin paintings captivated viewers with their serene aura and spiritual depth. His minimalist lines and gentle brushstrokes were described by viewers as “quiet prayers on silk.”
In contrast, Wang Yanwen, a self-taught female artist, presented bold, cosmic-themed splash-ink compositions. Her works radiated an expressive force that felt both contemporary and eternal — a “dance of ink and emotion,” as one visitor put it.
Other artists used mixed media, experimental layouts, and poetic inscriptions to reflect personal narratives or reinterpret classical themes. Together, their works embodied what critics called a “symphony of tradition and experimentation.”
Chunshui Seminar: A Meeting of Minds
To deepen the academic and intellectual impact of the event, following the opening of the “Splendid Colors of Heaven and Earth – Lingnan Calligraphy and Painting Masters Invitational Exhibition,” a concurrent academic forum titled “Contemporary Lingnan Calligraphy and Painting Creation Seminar” was held at Chunshui Academy to further enhance the exhibition’s scholarly value. The seminar brought together scholars, artists, and critics to explore the future development of Lingnan art in the 21st century.
Professor Zhong Dong, from Sun Yat-sen University, gave a philosophical keynote speech. He argued that Lingnan art must return to China’s ancient spiritual roots. “Calligraphy and painting should not be severed from Daoist thought or the rhythms of nature. Gao Jianfu didn’t just paint flowers — he painted the wind, the fragrance, and the spirit behind the petals.”
Fang Xiaokun, professor at South China Normal University, took a more ethical perspective, suggesting that “the cultivation of character is the real source of artistic strength.” She called on artists to resist the commercialization of aesthetics and to find moral clarity in their creative process.
Jin Jijun, of Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, discussed reform in art education. “We must not only teach technique but instill national spirit and artistic judgment. Without this, we train technicians — not artists.”
Calligraphy critic Li Xiangqun believes that calligraphy’s growth depends on both its deep historical roots and teacher-led transmission. He urges associations to prioritize cultural inheritance and intergenerational continuity, not just development and critique.
Wang Zhimin, Chairman of the Foshan Calligraphers Association, expressed concern over bureaucratic influence in national art exhibitions, arguing that “regimented judging systems stifle creativity. The soul of Lingnan lies in freedom and spontaneity.”
The forum also took on an international flavor. Chen Xiaoling, vice-chair of the Russia-China Friendship Association Art Center, praised the Lingnan School’s unique visual vocabulary and invited Lingnan artists to participate in exhibitions in Moscow and St. Petersburg later this year.
Cultural Leaders Weigh In
Numerous cultural figures attended and spoke at the exhibition and forum, including:
- Chen Weiqing, Director of Shaoguan Museum
- Pan Yingwei, President of Guangdong Audio & Video Publishing House
- Zhang Feng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Guangdong Calligraphy Critics Association
- Lin Zekai, Calligraphy Teacher at Shanwei Vocational and Technical College
Their presence not only lent weight to the event, but also underscored the Lingnan School’s growing influence both domestically and internationally.
Qiu Shikun, Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Calligraphers Association, called the exhibition a model of cultural self-confidence. “It is a convergence of tradition and innovation, of intergenerational conversation, and of China’s artistic presence on the world stage.”
Wang Shiguo, Chairman of the Guangdong Calligraphy Critics Association and one of the event’s main organizers, summarized the success of the event in three key terms: openness, academic depth, and creativity.
Liu Xiaoyi, Director of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, praised the event as “a major achievement in promoting Guangdong's high-quality cultural development” and pledged continued support for future artistic exchanges.
Looking Ahead: Lingnan’s New Chapter
As the exhibition officially came to an end on July 16, it left behind not only an artistic feast for the eyes but also a powerful message — that the Lingnan School of painting and calligraphy is not only alive, but thriving.
The works, the voices, and the philosophies shared during these two weeks have extended the life of Gao Jianfu’s artistic dream — one in which art serves both the nation and the people, and in which each brushstroke contains not just ink, but intention.
And as echoed by many in attendance, the greatest tribute to the masters of Lingnan is to keep painting, keep questioning, and keep evolving — just as the rivers of the South keep flowing.
