by Zhiwei Fu

FU Zhiwei, originally from Danyang, Jiangsu Province, currently resides in Shenzhen. He graduated from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts（now known as the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University) in 1991, earning a bachelor's degree. Proficient in both oil painting and traditional Chinese painting, he has been deeply influenced by the renowned artist Mr. WU Guanzhong. FU Zhiwei has consistently embraced Mr. WU's philosophy of "nationalizing oil painting and modernizing traditional Chinese painting," and diligently put it into practice.

In 2013 and 2015, he was honored by the Ministry of Culture as an "artist of academic value and market potential" in the magazine Art Market, which was organized by the ministry. In 2012, a special program titled A Brush with Life - FU Zhiwei was filmed and broadcast in Shenzhen by China Central Television (CCTV). He has held solo exhibitions in various cities, including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Huizhou, Dongguan, and Lijiang. Since 2012, his artworks have achieved successful auctions at renowned auction houses such as Poly Auction, Hanhai Auction, Yongle Auction in Beijing, All Arts Auctioneers Auction in Hong Kong, and Yipai International Art Auction in Shenzhen.

FU Zhiwei currently holds the titles of National First-Class Artist, Art Appraiser, Council Member of the Nanjing Xu Beihong Art Center, Invited Artist at the Nanjing International Cultural Exchange Center, and Vice-Secretary General as well as Assistant Chairman of the Hong Kong Artists Association in China.

In Pursuit of the Essence of Art: A Portrait of Renowned Painter Fu Zhiwei

By Prominent Art Critic, Chi Wen

July 28, 2022

The universalization of aesthetic appreciation in fine arts necessitates that artworks should be painted in a highly realistic manner, such as in classical oil paintings or the meticulous Gongbi style of painting from the Song Dynasty in China. However, human aesthetic consciousness is constantly evolving. Humans not only appreciate art through their eyes but also through thoughtful contemplation. Visual appreciation represents the primary form of recognizing beauty, while intellectual comprehension embodies a higher level of contemplating beauty. As a result, the ever-progressing aesthetic demands drive the development of painting from representational to abstract forms. This is why Chinese painting has embraced the concept of "da xie yi" (大写意) a freehand style chinese brush painting, while oil painting has given rise to the abstract movement.

The artistic creations of the renowned contemporary painter, Mr. FU Zhiwei, are dedicated to fulfilling the elevated requirements of abstract thinking and abstract aesthetics. Through his abstract compositions and the spirit of freehand expression, he skillfully captures the essence of the universe, exploring a new aesthetic realm that harmoniously blends Eastern and Western influences, bridging the past and the present in the realm of art appreciation.

Whether it is Monet, Van Gogh, or Picasso, the earliest artistic practices of these oil painting masters started with "painting realistically." They gradually pursued the subtleties of abstract creation, shifting people's aesthetics from superficial visual observations to a deeper exploration of thoughts and emotions. This process allows people to derive unique artistic enjoyment by colliding inner emotions with abstract images. If Van Gogh had only focused on representation without abstraction, the outstanding masterpiece "Starry Night" would not have come into existence. Likewise, Munch would not have created the breathtaking artwork "The Scream." Picasso, as a master of spatial abstraction, has left behind invaluable treasures in the field of art creation.

As the masters stand at the pinnacle of the art of painting, the worlds they depict and the depths of their hearts merge completely with the essence of existence, carrying an enchantment akin to artistic religion and becoming the intellectual beacons of fine art. FU Zhiwei's oil painting creations, following in the footsteps of the masters, are dedicated to establishing new achievements for Chinese artists within the expansive realm of abstract art. Step by step, he enters the wondrous realm of abstract oil painting, becoming the founding master of pure and expressive art, allowing the aesthetics of oil painting to once again showcase the artistic charm that harmoniously combines realism and romanticism!

FU Zhiwei expresses himself through the word "splash" in his painting, and he accomplishes the dynamic of "splash" in his artwork. This is a rather unique and unprecedented innovation in painting techniques. This distinctive creative approach can be viewed from the perspective of Chinese culture's "Dao" (道, follow the law of nature), offering a more profound expression of the mutual benefits, fusion, and harmony of colors in accordance with the principles of the "Dao." The Dao De Jing states, "Heaven and Earth are in harmony, and they rain down the sweet dew." The act of raining down corresponds to the natural state of "splash". FU Zhiwei, observing the profound mysteries of the universe, skillfully employs colors with a sense of "splash", allowing them to fall on the canvas and form a natural texture. By infusing his work with a spiritual connection to the heavens and the earth, the "splash painting" reveals a sculptural result where abstraction coexists with figurative representation.

Natural, emotional, innate, and planned elements all come together seamlessly to create a visual scene that reveals countless truths. It transcends the realm of language and naming, as the pure splashed color paintings are imbued with Western philosophical concepts, representing a cosmic perspective akin to the "God's eye view," while also expressing the essence of Taoism with the idea of "one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to the myriad of things." As a result, these pure splashed color works carry the fusion of both Eastern and Western philosophies, giving rise to a stunning new aesthetic quality that captivates viewers from both China and abroad. When standing before these paintings, one can immerse themselves in the profound meanings and unravel the enigmatic beauty of abstract aesthetics.

Mr. FU Zhiwei, through decades of artistic pursuit, has attained a profound understanding that places him in the realm of philosophy. With his abstract aesthetic structure in arranging the space of " splash painting"， he skillfully imbues his oil paintings with a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, bringing forth a shining new star in the art world. Both the cultural and academic values of his work are remarkably prominent. Speaking of the mastery of abstract oil painting techniques, in addition to Mr. FU Zhiwei's innovative pure "splash of colors" artistry, it is necessary to mention and make a comparison with the drip painting created by the American abstract expressionist master, Pollock. It can be affirmed that Mr. FU Zhiwei consciously incorporates the advantages of handling drip painting into his "splash of colors" approach. He fully utilizes the natural imagery of oil paint falling onto the canvas, ensuring that the abstract results do not violate the laws of nature and avoiding the roughness of haphazardly applied brushstrokes. Although his works are abstract, they exhibit a delicate and nuanced control over the trajectory of oil paint, akin to the movements of celestial bodies in the universe. While appearing chaotic, they are, in fact, governed by orderly and systematic principles.

However, from the perspective of artistic attributes in the composition, there are distinct differences between FU Zhiwei's pure "splash of colors" and Pollock's drip painting. In terms of the application of lines, Pollock follows a "strengthening" approach, where the intersecting lines in his paintings can be prominently highlighted, creating a clear and immediate visual effect. On the other hand, FU Zhiwei's pure " splash painting" works take a contrasting path of "weakening" the lines, with the dots taking center stage and the lines being blurred. This visual effect aligns more with the Eastern aesthetic concept of "abundance lies in scarcity, clarity exists in ambiguity," and it fulfills the abstract effect of "seeing without seeing is called transparent, grasping without obtaining is called formless, listening without hearing is called silent." In fact, this represents a Chinese-style abstract approach, or one could even call it a poetic expression of "意象" (yìxiàng), which is an abstract language derived from Chinese painting.

The delicately scattered color dots, arranged in a sparse and dense manner, with varying heights and interconnecting patterns, create a rich and diverse structural organization that opens boundless avenues for aesthetic appreciation and philosophical contemplation. From this perspective, FU Zhiwei's "splash painting" works are built upon the foundation of traditional Chinese cultural systems, resulting in a poeticized abstraction of artistic creation that combines the colors of Impressionism with the artistic conception of Chinese painting. It is exquisite and lifelike, capturing the essence with precision. In this regard, FU Zhiwei's " splash painting" and Pollock's drip painting represent a harmonious fusion of contemporary abstract creations from both the East and the West, jointly shaping the sky of modern abstract art.

Artistic creation evolves into more brilliant abstract forms as human thinking progresses. The continuous advancement of human technology has propelled our thought patterns to new heights. If our world were solely dominated by technology, it would be a cold and sterile place. It is only through individuals like FU Zhiwei, who harness the wonders of modern abstract thinking, and with the help of pure "splash of colors" artworks, that the delicate state of human abstract thinking can be catalyzed, nourishing our thoughts and emotions with warmth and inspiration. FU Zhiwei's abstract works, with a gentle demeanor, cleanse the souls of humanity in the new century, guiding the world towards a harmonious future with the dual blessings of science and art. He has earned the artistic merit of being the pioneer of "splash painting" painting, while "splash painting" art itself has achieved the remarkable feat of harmonizing humanity's future endeavors in creating a harmonious world.