To Infinity: The Art of Master Shen-Long
On view February 15-March 21, 2018
This exhibition features a new artwork by international multidisciplinary artist Master Shen-Long that celebrates the power of all beings to create their universe. Installed between Burberry and Louis Vuitton on Level One at NorthPark Center, the work towers 12 feet high and 66 feet long. Here, golden dragons are shown roaming freely and joyfully in the universe; they reflect ourselves and the inherent creative power that can be found in each of us.
For over 50 years, Master Shen-Long, a contemporary master of the classical Chinese literati perfections of painting, poetry, and calligraphy, as well as seal-carving, has pioneered new approaches to painting that has made him one of the most innovative ink artists of this generation.
In the early 1990s, he developed a new abstract ink method for paper and canvas, resulting in richly detailed reversible works that blur the line between painting and sculpture.
Influenced by his deep understanding of Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian philosophies, Master Shen-Long’s bold and experimental work challenges traditional assumptions about Chinese painting, and raises important concepts regarding mankind’s relationship with the universe.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Master Shen-Long 神龍
神 means inconceivable
龍 means dragon, as well as represents enlightenment power and super flexible wisdom
Master Shen-Long is an artist, calligrapher, writer, poet, philosopher and Buddhist master. At an early age, he was an artist disciple of the Han Yu Tang 寒玉堂 (the studio of Pu Ru, Aisin Gioro Pu Ru 愛新覺羅•溥儒, or Pu Xinyu 溥心畬), cousin of Aisin Gioro Pu Yi 愛新覺羅•溥儀, the last Emperor of China.
As an international multidisciplinary artist, he is a contemporary master of the classical Chinese literati perfections of poetry, painting and calligraphy. His artistic philosophy is grounded in three philosophical concepts found in Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism: In Confucianism, the concept of “integration between Nature and Mankind”; in Daoism, the concept of “one is wholly in harmony with the way of nature”; and in Buddhism, the concept of “everyone can become Buddha, and through cultivation we can recover our wisdom ability and enlightenment power.”
In his artwork, he works in a limitless variety of styles, formats and techniques, including ink painting, oil painting, sculpture and photography. His paintings can be viewed and displayed from both sides, in order to express unlimited time, space, and infinite energy. Master Shen-Long’s boundary-crossing artwork showcases the best features of the Chinese literati three perfections, while innovating upon and reimagining the history of Chinese painting today and into the future.
ARTWORK INFORMATION:
Master Shen-Long
Celebrating the birthday of all beings in the universe 壽吾壽
2017
Ink and mixed media on canvas
12 x 80 feet
Seals:
覺能藝創 Using enlightenment power and ability in art creativity
覺能心宗 The Enlightenment Mind School
Poetic Inscription:
壽吾壽
君不見，
逍遙自在無量載，覺能藝創定江山！
神龍心宗來普度，神龍如來笑春風！
太一神龍
Celebrating the birthday of all beings in the universe (and myself)
Do you not see,
I have been free and unfettered, and the master of myself for infinite years,
Using my enlightenment power and ability in art creativity to take the lead!
The Enlightenment Mind School is for helping all living beings universally,
Shen-Long Tathagata (Buddha)* smiles warmly like the Spring breeze!
Tai-Yi Shen-Long
*Shen-Long Tathagata (Buddha) represents how everyone inherently has this identical quality, everyone originally is a Buddha. This poem is intended as a celebration of all beings.
To Infinity: The Art of Master Shen-Long is presented by the Crow Collection of Asian Art and NorthPark Center, and curated by Jacqueline Chao.
Header Image: Master Shen-Long standing in front of his artwork installation, Celebrating the birthday of all beings in the universe 壽吾壽. Courtesy of the artist.
Installation photography by Master Shen-Long Studio, Courtesy of Master Shen-Long Studio.
