81/Supreme Art/Supreme Master Ching Hai's Painting "Cleaning The Pool" -- A Harmonious Combination of Western and Eastern Styles
Supreme Art
(Oil
Painting, 50.5cm x 40.5cm, Shatin, Hong Kong,
July, 1993) "Cleaning
The Pool" combines an array of contracting colors. Indeed, all of
Supreme Master Ching Hai's paintings have a distinct calming effect
like a bunch of blooming flowers. In a sense, She has created a whole
new artistic language that can be compared to an uninhibited poem
characterized by rich rhyming patterns and bold passion.
The
scene depicted in "Cleaning The Pool," is of three people standing
on the bottom of an empty pool, approximately an equal distance between
them. They are working with cleaning equipment in their hands and
there is a bucket by each person's side. Although they are cleaning
the bottom of the pool, they appear as carefree as three people playing
softball.
Where
does the beauty of the painting rest? Is it in the simplistic title?
Is it in the humble satisfaction, no doubt gained by the artist Herself?
Or is it gleaned from the apparent praise from the public? No. Nor
is it from the perfected technique, ordinariness of the scene, or
the meticulous polishing that has created this painting masterpiece.
For to create such an immortal painting, apart from deft color combinations
and depth of artistic feeling, the most important element is the artist's
mental state of being one with all creation. When one flows with all
seasons, is totally immersed in the joy of nature, and is in complete
harmony with all variations of colors, one does not even feel that
one is painting at all, although others would recognize the overwhelming
intoxication found only in the absolute bliss of creative inspiration.
Consequently,
"Cleaning the Pool" is a grand combination of styles from all periods
of time and all cultures. For example, the indigo and light gray colors
on the bottom of the pool are reminiscent of the Chinese "wash" paintings.
The different dark and light brown colors form many stones around
the pond that twinkle like colorful gems. A few tufts of orange colored
grass casually appear by the pool, like bright sparks in a moon-lit
forest, making one feel a little anxious. The three figures who are
cleaning the bottom of the pool are used to contrast all the other
colors in the painting, creating the paintings focal point that serves
as its climax. Such color contrast was often used by European abstract
painters like Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Toulouse-Lautrec, etc. Anyone
familiar with the works by these great artists would naturally understand.
By Artist Ha Cam Tam, San
Jose, CA, USA (Originally In Au Lac Language)