The Primary Stage Of Experimental Wash Painting

Since the 20^th century the development of modern life has made the traditional wash painting gradually lose its humane environment. As an expression from soul, the water and ink art continuing the traditional painting techniques becomes a dual cover of the current impression—cover either the authenticity of the real sense or the lifelessness of false experience. Therefore, its modern transformation became a sharp cultural problem especially stressed in China at end of last century.The idea of experimental wash painting is advanced by commenter Huang Zhuan and Wang Huang-sheng first. It indicates not a certain style of wash but a spirit which try to exceed the traditional frame.At present, experimental wash painting is entering an unprecedented peak period. For one thing, it has changed from "underground state" to "public state", and has openly walked its way into the exhibitions, picture albums, articles and theory symposiums at all levels. For another, a great number of experimental wash painting artists have gone abroad to take part in the important exhibitions of contemporary art. However, whether or not people would like to admit, experimental water and ink, which looks like flourishing on the surface, has only exerted influence in a very small cultural space. People in this circle are pleased with themselves, while the onlookers outside treat it with little seriousness. For it is widely believed that the contemporariness of an art means the subversion of its tradition; and it is also believed that experimental wash painting is not mature in many aspects since it has existed only for 30-odd years.Where is the root of those problems? This article will analyze the problem andoffer a solution to it.