「Look at the Picture and Talk about the Painting」Realism and abstraction – which has higher value?

What distinguishes a painter from a artisan-painter is whether a painting looks like it or not? Is that really the case?

The answer goes far beyond the form itself. The craftsman is obsessed with replicating techniques, the realist is trapped in superficial resemblance, and the abstract artist ends up being empty; but the core of a painter is to use brushstrokes as a medium, allowing the spiritual core to penetrate the picture and directly reach the viewer’s innermost heart.

Leng Jun’s hyper-realistic works are not mere mechanical reproductions. Within the delicate texture of fabric fibers, there lies a reflection of the warmth of human nature in the industrial era. Mondrian’s geometric color blocks may seem simple, but in fact, they are rational thoughts constructed with the primary colors and straight lines to establish the order of the universe. Xu Wei’s splashed ink paintings of bamboo do not aim for resemblance but express loneliness and anger through sharp brushstrokes; Song dynasty landscape paintings excel in layers, yet they convey the yearning for the harmony of nature through the ink and brushwork.

Realism and abstraction are merely different paths of “conveying meaning through techniques”. The former conveys emotions through concrete images, while the latter expresses meaning through abstraction. Their values both lie in the authenticity of the spirit. The true essence of art does not lie in the meaningless debate of “which is more valuable, abstraction or realism”. Whether it is meticulous realism or freehand abstraction, they are both languages for the creator to communicate with the world.
The true value lies in whether the work can touch the soul. There are countless forms, but none are superior or inferior. The essence of art lies in having the same original intention.

The tea for today is all gone. Next time, I’ll brew a fresh pot and enjoy art with you again.