On September 12th, "Jiangnan Made of Water: Qi Tiexie's Academic Series of Ink Paintings" opened at Shanghai Juequn Art Space, showcasing over 100 works by artist Qi Tiexie. His paintings capture the poetic beauty of Jiangnan's fields, fishing boats, spring blossoms, autumn leaves, and flowing water.
Qi Tiekai is a member of the Chinese Artists Association, a member of the Shanghai Academy of Literature and History, a two-term director of the Shanghai Artists Association, and a two-term director of the Shanghai Writers Association. His works not only maintain the brushwork of traditional ink painting, but also incorporate a variety of styles such as Western watercolor painting, traditional watermark woodcut, and printmaking.
Qi Tiekai loved painting and calligraphy from a young age, attracting attention for his skill at a young age. He also wrote poetry, prose, and novels. After joining a newspaper, he was active in journalism, but he never gave up his dream of becoming an artist. After leaving his job, he devoted himself fully to artistic creation.
Exhibition site
Jiangnan
Whether in the exhibition's pure ink works like "Deep Courtyard," "Climbing the Summit," "Thames Town," "Distant View," and "Sunrise Light," or in color-applied works like "Green Tone," "Lotus Lake," "High Mountain Flowing Water," and "Jiangnan," one can see his use of traditional brushwork as a foundation, incorporating diverse artistic elements to create a unique, modern style. Art critic Gong Yunbiao commented that these works "combine an intoxicating brushwork with a distinctly modern undertone."
For Qi Tiexie, Jiangnan is more than just a geographical concept; it's a cultural sentiment and an aesthetic object. In his writing, Jiangnan is "made of water." "Blue-tiled houses face the water, stone pavements flank the water / People come in and out, hands touching the water / shoe uppers rubbing against the water." "Jiangnan is my hometown. Even after traveling thousands of miles, I still find it the most beautiful," Qi Tiexie said. "I create my paintings as if they were poems, using brushstrokes and colors to convey the unique poetic atmosphere of Jiangnan."
Far View
In the exhibition, the work "Early Spring" captures the ethereal mood of "a garden full of spring scenery, but no one to admire it." Lush green shimmers beneath the inky eaves, while a flock of swifts perches on power lines outlined with ink lines, like musical notes, their melodies flowing softly. In "Sun Shower," the "ding-dong clatter of ink disrupts both the painting and the score," brimming with childlike playfulness. And in "Spring Tide," he uses lines to "encircle" a small boat, trapping it on the water's surface as if "cast out wild curves" by ripples, unable to move forward.
"Boat"
Spring Tide
The most eye-catching piece in the exhibition hall is a large ink painting titled "Boat," depicting a series of black-sailed boats quietly moored on the water. The boats, a fusion of ink and sketch techniques, are a hallmark of Qi Tiekai's visual identity. "Painting boats is actually painting people. Boats are my parasite. Often, I'll paint boats with oars but no one rowing them, simply because I want to be still and quiet," Qi Tiekai said.
Cloud Sails
Sunset
On the second floor of the exhibition hall, a group of ink sketches show his observation and examination of nature.
Qi Tiexie's sketches
Qi Tiexie told reporters that during the creative process, he often recites a poem first, and only when he still can't fully express his feelings does he put pen to paper. "My paintings depict poetry, artistic conception, and dreams. They emerge from poetry."
Note: The exhibition is hosted by Shanghai Academy of Literature and History, organized by Shanghai Juequn Painting and Calligraphy Academy and Shanghai Juequn Art Space, and has received academic support from Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Artists Association.
The exhibition will run until October 12.
