Since I became interested in China some twenty years ago, contemporary Chinese culture has fascinated me in many ways: literature, film, and art. My master thesis was about the traditional ink painting of Xu Wei. Since that time I focus mainly on contemporary art. The contemporary Chinese artists using traditional ideas, methods, techniques always draw my attention.
This art work by Chen Shaohua explores the possibilities of traditional aesthetics of ink painting today. In the choice of video as a medium Chen Shaohua transgresses the traditional media and methods. The inherent quality of water and floating ink however establish a close link to tradition. What keeps me occupied in studying Chinese art: 'what makes art 'Chinese?' and 'what is 'Chineseness'?'