To broaden students' academic horizons and deepen their understanding of traditional Chinese philosophy and artistic spirit, the Faculty of Innovation and Design recently invited Mr. Sun Youcai, a researcher from the Art Creation Center of the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, to deliver a special lecture titled "Understanding the Concepts of 'Dao,' 'Qi,' and the 'Unity of Man and Nature' Through Artistic Creation."

Combining his own artistic practice with theoretical research, Mr. Sun delivered an enlightening and in-depth presentation to the audience, attracting many faculty members and students interested in traditional Chinese art and culture.

Researcher Sun Youcai is a First-Class Artist at the Art Creation Center of the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles and serves as a specially-appointed professor at both the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University.

During the lecture, Mr. Sun focused on the core spirit of Chinese artistic creation, providing an in-depth analysis of how philosophical concepts such as "Dao," "Qi," and the "Unity of Man and Nature" are woven into artistic practice. He pointed out that Chinese painting is "an observation aligned with the heart" rather than "a mere depiction of scenery." Its essence, he explained, lies in "entering the painting through the Dao"—meaning artistic creation itself is a process for the artist's self-cultivation, mental refinement, and spiritual alignment with the Dao.

Mr. Sun began by explaining the importance of "Dao Fa Ziran" (the Dao follows Nature) as the foundational aesthetic pursuit in Chinese painting. He emphasized that outstanding works of calligraphy and painting are not products of deliberate embellishment, but rather a natural fusion with the artist's spirit. Taking calligraphy as an example, he analyzed in depth how the literati (scholar-artists) use the aesthetics of lines to reflect the transformations of "Yin and Yang." He noted that calligraphy and painting share the same origin, and together they have shaped the unique Chinese perception of the cosmos.

Mr. Sun also contrasted the fundamental differences between Chinese and Western painting, highlighting the unique "ambiguity" present in Chinese art—an ineffable, Dao-derived artistic conception that, he argued, current artificial intelligence (AI) is incapable of replicating.

The lecture garnered an enthusiastic response from both faculty and students. Attendees expressed that the talk not only deepened their comprehension of "Dao Fa Ziran" but also gave them a new understanding of the essence of Chinese art from the perspective of "self-cultivation and mental refinement." It inspired deep reflection on how they can uphold and carry forward the Eastern aesthetic spirit in their future creative work.

This lecture represents a valuable exploration by our College in integrating artistic practice with traditional Chinese philosophical thought. It not only provided a precious learning platform for faculty and students but also guided them, in a contemporary context, to trace back to the spiritual core of Chinese culture. This event serves as a positive force in cultivating artistic talents who possess both a deep humanistic foundation and an innovative mindset.

Author: Li Zhe