The Lingering Image
During my childhood, I always painted on a piece of paper put on top of a square plate. This makes me feel like a painter. While at school, the art curriculum was diversified, and I usually got passing mark. After graduation, I have stopped pursuing to paint. It was after many years that my interest in painting rekindled, but I still did not intend to learn Chinese painting, as I was totally unfamiliar with the subject.
It happened that I attended a painting class at Prof. Chao's studio in early 1979, and it opened my eyes in the realm of Chinese painting. After learning under Prof. Chao for nearly three months, I felt that I was unable to find any progress in painting techniques. It was at this moment Prof. Chao handed me a painting of peony and encouraged me to try. After carefully studying my copy of his work in the following session, Prof. Chao commented that I would become a good painter. Encouraged by his remark, I was determined to continue learning. At that time, I had no idea of the relationship between Prof. Chao and the Lingnan School of painting.
When I progressed steadily in painting techniques, Prof. Chao guided the way forward by suggesting me to learn calligraphy. After a period of time, he further advised me to learn poetry. I took Prof. Chao's advice and learned poetry under the tutelage of Mr. Poon Siu-poon, a famous local poet. This is how I began learning the three excellences (ie. painting, calligraphy and poetry) and my interest in Chinese art grew. Since then I found myself deeply immersed in the realm of Chinese art and I truly realized the meaning of the saying that "there is no end to learning". Chinese art is indeed a profound legacy, and Chinese painting is not isolated from other disciplines of art.
Apart from drawing, I even went further to study the history of Chinese painting. It was through such study did I understand the development of Chinese painting in a cultural context, and I was astonished to find that I was at the turning point of breakthrough in Chinese painting, as Prof. Chao is one of the key figures in its revolution. The development of Chinese painting has gone through different periods of changes during the long history of civilization, and leaders of these art revolutions are always talented, resolute and determined. Prof. Chao is such kind of leaders, but one may not realize the fact that he is a leading figure of the Lingnan School due to his amiable and humble character.
Those casual conversations after classes between Prof. Chao and me deepened my understanding in every aspect of Chinese painting, and most important of all, I was moved by the way how Prof. Chao looked at life. Prof. Chao once taught me to be humble, which I intuitively felt that this is the most important principle to conduct oneself in society. His words are always succinct and to the point, therefore it was easy for me to keep in mind.
Not only the art of Prof. Chao has become the lingering image in my heart, but also his words are imprinted on my mind. Together they become the guiding principles for my life and art.
Ho Fung-Lin PhD
Mountains in Wintry Mist
Dated 2024
Ink and colour on paper
52.5 x 85 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Temple Shrouded in Mist
Dated 2010
Ink and colour on paper
166 x 71 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Misty River
Dated 2017
Ink and colour on paper
36.7 x 44.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Huangshan in Mist
Dated 2020
Ink and colour on paper
114.5 x 56 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Quilin in Sunset
Dated 2000
Ink and colour on paper
132 x 76 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Waterfall
Dated 2000
Ink and colour on paper
48 x 85 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Lake of Jiuzhaigou
Dated 2000
Ink and colour on paper
132 x 76 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Village by the River
Dated 2000
Ink and colour on paper
87 x 48 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Happy Encounter
Dated 2000
Ink and colour on paper
87 x 48 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Temple in Wintry Mist
Dated 1989
Ink and colour on paper
136 x 64 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Minjiang River in Autumn
Dated 2019
Ink and colour on paper
58 x 96.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Broken Bridge with Thawing Snow
Dated 2017
Ink and colour on paper
29 x 39 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Li River in Misty Rain
Dated 2011
Ink and colour on paper
61 x 42 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Aarowana
Dated 2007
Ink and colour on paper
130 x 63 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Angelfish
Dated 2017
Ink and colour on paper
29 x 39 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Fish
Dated 2006
Ink and colour on paper
177.7 x 71 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Goldfish
Dated 2016
Ink and colour on paper
28.5 x 39.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Angelfish
Dated 2021
Ink and colour on paper
46 x 76 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Goldfish
Dated 2011
Ink and colour on paper
30 x 38 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Dated 2006
Ink and colour on paper
30.5 x 37 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
White Poinsettia
Bauhinia
Dated 2019
Ink and colour on paper
136 x 57 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Gladiolus
Dated 2003
Ink and colour on paper
30.5 x 43 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Buttery Ginger
Dated 2002
Ink and colour on paper
30.5 x 39 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Azaleas
Dated 2024
Ink and colour on paper
138 x 69 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Roses
Dated 2020
Ink and colour on paper
36 x 69 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Narcissus
Dated 2016
Ink and colour on paper
49 x 38 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Peonies
Dated 2021
Ink and colour on paper
36 x 53.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Sparrows in Snow
Dated 2014
Ink and colour on paper
87 x 36.8 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Birds in Rain
Dated 2015
Ink and colour on paper
57 x 48 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Snake
Dated 2012
Ink and colour on paper
30 x 38 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Mallards and Water Lily
Dated 2020
Ink and colour on paper
97 x 66.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Long Beans
Dated 2020
Ink and colour on paper
28.5 x 39.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Dragon Fruit
Dated 2010
Ink and colour on paper
30 x 37.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Sweet Corn
Dated 2006
Ink and colour on paper
30.5 x 39 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Rice Dumpling
Dated 2013
Ink and colour on paper
30 x 37.5 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Cats
Dated 2010
Ink and colour on paper
18.3 x 174 cm
With inscription, signature and three seals
Ho Fung-Lin
Explore the beauty of traditional Chinese painting.
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