On view July 20, 2021-January 22, 2022

For over 50 years, Master Shen-Long (神龍), a multidisciplinary artist and contemporary master of the classical Chinese literati perfections of painting, poetry, and calligraphy, 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 of art that blur the line between painting and sculpture, and expresses unlimited time, space, and endless movement. Influenced by his deep understanding of Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian philosophies, Master Shen-Long’s bold and experimental work challenges and innovates upon tradition and raises important ideas regarding mankind’s relationship with the universe.

At an early age, Master Shen-Long was an artist disciple of the Han Yu Tang (寒玉堂), the studio of the royal prince Pu Ru (Pu Xinyu溥心畬; 1896-1963), cousin of the last emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Pu Yi (溥儀1906-1967) and studied painting techniques that have long been forgotten over the centuries. As a multidisciplinary artist, Master Shen-Long works in a limitless variety of styles, formats, and techniques. The sizes of his paintings can range from small delicate works to oversized rolls of various fabrics measuring hundreds of feet long. He employs traditional Chinese materials such as brush and ink and combines them with untraditional materials such as spray paint, raw canvas, a variety of fabrics and found objects.

As a Zen Buddhist Master and founder of the Enlightenment Mind School, Master Shen-Long has published and conducted many public explanations on several essential sutras of Buddhism. Philosophically and creatively, Master Shen-Long attempts to express the inexhaustible energy of the universe in his writings and through his art, often including original poetry compositions on each of his works. He created the theory and philosophy of “enlightenment power and ability in art creation” to describe the original life power of all beings to create their universe, and the natural power of creativity itself. For Master Shen-Long, all beings possess this incredible enlightenment power to upgrade and create a better life.

Over the past few years, Master Shen-Long has charted a dramatic transformation in his work, utilizing all his talents with large-scale reversible and sculptural paintings that express his expertise in painting, calligraphy, poetic composition, and material exploration. On display in this exhibition is a selection of these recent oversized paintings that illustrate the depth and range of Master Shen-Long’s artistic practice. 

Universe of the Mind: Master Shen-Long is organized by the Hilliard Art Museum.

Installation photography by Jessica Harrington, Courtesy of Hilliard Art Museum.