On Wings of Mr. Wing, Infinitely: Mr. Wing Gallery

I often contemplate the fundamental nature of art—the essence that transcends both form and content. For now, let us refer to this as the "primordial origin of art."

Ancient Greek philosophers pondered the "primordial origin of the universe." The Greek word for "origin" is ἀρχή (arché), which has two Latin translations: Principium (origin, principle) and Initium (beginning). The English equivalents are "Principle" and "Beginning," respectively. This concept of "origin" encompasses not only material elements but also signifies the immaterial yet inclusive "primordial."

Anaximander (ca. 610–546 B.C.), one of the three great thinkers of Ionia's capital Miletus, discussed the primordial origin in his work Peri Physeos (On Nature). He argued that to explain the diversity of the natural world, one must use a concept that is non-specific, unbounded, and indeterminate. Thus, he proposed that the universe's origin is the negation of boundaries—the "Infinite" (apeiron) or the "Indefinite."

The "primordial origin of the universe is infinite" because only the "infinite" or "unbounded" lacks any definition, allowing all things to have the potential to become anything. Similarly, in the Chinese text Zhuangzi, there is a similar discourse recorded about Hui Shi: "The greatest is without boundary, called the Great One." The most immense is without edge, encompassing all, becoming the original.

Isn't art the same? Art is not merely a composition of material elements; beyond the elements of form and content, there exists an immaterial yet inclusive primordial essence.

The "primordial origin of art" lies in the "unbounded infinity," without external limitations, thus possessing the potential for greatness. True freedom is the condition for genuine art. However, how does one attain true freedom? True freedom is not an insulator, not isolated without connection to the world. The participating artists in this exhibition also contemplate or practice the true meaning of freedom through their works.

Shi Jin hua — Through the process of walking the brush, climbing the mountain built by human desires, it stands tall and presses forward. One can only cultivate oneself, adjust one's breath, and in the winding and entangled process, slowly seek release and liberation.

Wu Jitao — Painting landscapes from the perspective of a bird flying through the sky, because a distant view is sufficient to encompass all, and encompassing all is sufficient to calm the mind. After calming the mind, one brings oneself to the silent peaks and the quiet valleys, where what is seen is undoubtedly the serene portrayal of the mind after insight.

Lin Yishu — Her works convey the artistic essence of returning to human connections. Living in a pastoral environment, she is accompanied daily by the dogs raised at home. For her, freedom is not a high-pitched tune, not in the empty void, but realized in the daily, tangible existence. Freedom is in every moment of breathing, in every instant of playing with the dogs.

Fu Tso Hsin — Facing the changing seasons, observing the interactions between plants and animals, the continuous cycles of birth, aging, illness, and death, one realizes that the impermanence of nature is indeed the ultimate law of the ordinary. Freedom is in the moment of realization, where a fleeting instant becomes eternity.

Mia Liu — Adopting a direct approach, confronting the boundaries of time, space, history, region, culture, society, and even the forms and contents of artistic expression. By appropriating and modifying old artworks, the act of modification becomes a practice of crossing boundaries. In this process, boundaries are not eliminated; what already exists still exists. The boundaries are merely crossed, and only after crossing can dialogue commence, making freedom possible.

Through this exhibition and the works of the participating artists, we aim to convey that the primordial origin of art lies in its unbounded infinity. Without external limitations, there exists the possibility of greatness. This is not to sever all connections but to establish connections. Establishing connections gives meaningful existence to one's being. Connections are not constraints; rather, shedding external limitations and still being connected to the world is like riding the wings of a gentle breeze, soaring freely in the universe of creation.