Seminar Proceedings

 

 

To promote famous Chinese painter Mr. Xia Jing Shan’s (1927- ) art of Buddha portrait, top universities in Taiwan were delegated to do research on Xia’s artworks by Xia Jing Shan Arts and Culture Foundation. In December 2014, cooperating with National Taiwan University of Arts, “Xia Jing Shan Workshop on Study of Painting Art” was held. In May 2015, “The International Conference on Art Spiritually of Mr. Xia Jing Shan’s paintings” was held in cooperation with Department of Painting and Calligraphy, Department of Applied Philosophy (previous as Department of Philosophy and Religion), and Department of Fine Arts, Chang Jung Christian University. There were 12 dissertations in total presented in these two conferences, which had in-depth discussion on Xia’s portrait of Guanyin Bodhisattva, portrait of Arhat, calligraphy art, seal craving, analysis of Buddha portrait, art aesthetics, and so on. The research was solid and had deep insight, so was included in the first issue of “Jing Shan Aesthetics” by the foundation.

Due to the success of these two conferences, the foundation decided to have further development. The foundation therefore cooperated with Chinese Culture University (hereinafter referred to as the university). On November 27th 2015, “the International conference of Xia Jing Shan arts and culture cross-national research --- Forum & Exhibition “and” Mr. Xia Jing Shan Buddha Portraits Taipei Art Exhibition were held by Digital Media Program, China Bureau of Cultural and educational relations, and Visual Arts Center in the school of Continuing Education of the university. In the conference, many professors and scholars were invited, including Kings College London (KCL). With previous research, the university took “integration and transformation” as a core concept and determined three main subjects from cultural aspect. Through articles and discussions in the forums, people could have a better understanding of Mr. Xia Jing Shan’s life journey, artworks characters and contents. Furthermore, it would provide useful materials for new media, artistic creation, cultural creative design, and expression format of new media applications. The subjects for this forum are as below:

Subject 1: Cultural Restoration and Innovation

Subject 2: Cultural Creativity and design

Subject 3: Cultural Promotion and Application

There were two articles for each subject, presenting strategies for “integration” and “transformation.” Through discussion and suggestions from the knowledgeable scholars and experts in the forum, the foundation made short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans, which were applicable for the modern society. In this way, the foundation could achieve the goal of promoting Chinese culture and the art of Buddha portraits. On the day, Xia’s Buddha portraits and calligraphy works were presented in the special exhibition area and art gallery. The participants could have a closer look at the artworks and therefore have a better understanding of the art of Buddha portraits. In the meantime, the participants experienced spiritual growing, life atmosphere enhancement, and the good morals of Chinese culture. After the forum, “Xia Jing Shan Buddha Portraits Art Exhibition” was held in Nanjing University. In the exhibition, the important issues and consensus from the previous forum were shared. People thus expected a new generation of Chinese culture with the cooperation of China and Taiwan.