PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF A DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AND PHILOSOPHER

Provenance:
Acquired directly from the artist

ABOUT THE WORK

The Greek Stoic philosopher of the 1st and early 2nd centuries, Epictetus, once said, “Be silent for the most part, or, if you speak, say only what is necessary and in a few words.” This passage perfectly sums up the inherent nature of Lao Lianben as an artist and the substance of his works. Much like his disposition, Lao’s art has always evoked a profound meditation; it is free from interference and materializes without much fanfare. His art entails an aura of contemplative stillness and tranquility. In light of these, one can deduce that Lao’s art is not a means to an end but is the activity of enlightenment itself. Lao always finds himself visually translating the meaning of his works by metamorphosing abstract elements into an oeuvre that is often inspired by words. Indeed, Lao is a “man of few words,” for his art genuinely embodies his bona fide persona—gentle and reserved yet remarkably exceptional due to his virtuosity and mastery of Zen art. This style is held in high regard for its simplicity and restraint; only a handful of artists fully grasp these two qualities. Zen’s essence of “brevity is the soul of the wit” and “simplicity is preferable to complexity” have always been the rallying cry of Lao’s aesthetics. Man of Few Words showcases Lao’s classic subdued strokes of black paint pressed against a white canvas. The strokes depict a figure of a man standing in the middle, with his figure abstracted and stripped to its fundamental features. The man’s bearing is calmingly arresting that it gives credence to his reticent character. His stillness is charged with the unspoken melody of his thoughts. The entirety of the composition is pervaded with a lulling silence, inviting the viewer to engross oneself in a meditative reflection. This work by Lao perfectly embodies his affinity for the serenity of Zen art. Here, Lao’s purposive calmness becomes a sounder outlet to convey his message—that it is in the silence of the words where the mind speaks clearly and loudly. As written by Leovino Ma. Garcia in Black Water: A Monk’s Dream, “Lao Lianben continues to will only one thing—to render what is “invisible to the eyes.” Like the empty bowl of a Buddhist monk, his paintings here, in their bare simplicity, offer an inexhaustible feast for thought.” If truth be told, there is so much more to Lao’s artwork than stimulates the senses. A sheer understanding of the painting’s meaning calls for a pure apprehension of its title—and the spirit of Zen aesthetics he has always been indebted to.