「Look at the Picture and Talk about the Painting」A Calm Heart BringsCoolness: Chen Hui’s Zen-Inspired Rubbings

The “Cooling-off Magic Tool” in the Art World!

Chen Hui’s ink-rubbing works have become the “cooling-off magic tool” for collectors. He has depicted the coolness of summer in the interplay of ink and paper. His ink-rubbing works have long transcended mere craftsmanship and are more like a spiritual practice. The deliberately created blank spaces are like the “emptiness” in Zen, representing clarity and freedom after ridding oneself of the hustle and bustle.

From the rubbing of Buddha statues, the mottled marks resemble the coolness accumulated over time, and the blank spaces evoke the emptiness of the faint smoke before the Buddha, soothing the mind and bringing peace. To “A Corner of Mount Qin”, where the ink-washed peaks are outlined, the blank spaces are like the thin mist in the mountains, gently bringing a sense of seclusion and coolness. And then to seed character calligraphy, with full brushstrokes and a loose structure, the spaces between the characters are transparent, creating a serene and distant atmosphere within a small space.

Chen Hui creates a realm through blank space. Between the virtual and real of the rubbing marks and the fluidity of ink and water, he infuses the coolness of art into every wisp of summer heat. As you gaze, it seems as if the breeze from pine trees is passing through the hall, silently sweeping away the heat in your heart. In the rubbing, one finds the leisure of “a calm heart naturally feels cool”.

Today’s tea has run out. Next time, I’ll make some new ones and accompany you to enjoy art.