Through this exhibition, Looking for the “Mark of China,” we wish to illustrate how enthusiasm for tradition does not only take the form of ink. In the present, due to the properties of so-called contemporary art, the trends and range of art have become even wider. This does not just apply to the cases of “New Ink” artists. We also believe that more and more people will come to realize that contemporary Chinese art bears a strong “mark of China.” This may even be able to set off a new wave in the international art scene and bring deeper nourishment and replenishment to world civilization.

Circus Maximus at Soka Art Center Beijing is the first large scale exhibition Hsi has held in Beijing. It is a bold and magnificent display of works created by a young, up-and-coming Taiwanese sculptor. Drawing from his architectural training, Hsi created a perfect interpretation of the ruins of the Roman Colosseum.

Mao Xuihui believes that art can help us more clearly understand nature and human will, he illustrates both life and nature. Painting guaranteed that he would have the power to face the profound memories that life throws at him, and have the power to strive in expressing them – strive, because all this is not easy. A set pattern is not readily available for one to get close to a feeling. One must create works in the state of insecurity, to paint paintings, experience, and create new experiences as to express the things that life has given him into a powerful painting.”

The participating artists are connected in terms of painting language to the theme of “empty cold” through unique creative approaches. Wang Jieyin works with the simple and pure deform of nature and the lingering echoes of sound. Liang Quan works with the naturalness of abstraction and the lingering flavor of prosaicness. Hong Ling approaches the naturalness of nature and the silent confluence of spirits. Cao Jigang transforms the tones of nature into ink, and lingering sorrow into silence. Shen Qin works with gardens of nature and the open space of roving dreams. Chen Feng approaches the cultural memory of nature and the afterimage of hills. Liu Guofu’s is the spirit of nature and the spirits of the afterimage. Xu huaxin ink works have the texture of jad with the sense of empty cold.