2012【楚戈紀念畫展】

楚戈紀念畫展暨當代藝術研討會

楚戈，在戰後臺灣現代藝壇，集文學、評論、研究、創作於一身，是少有的類型；但更重要的，是他將所有領域，形成「吾道一以貫之」的思想體系又帶優游行走的瀟灑，這是其他藝術家所無以得見的一種傑出成就。去年三月楚戈以八十高齡過世，為了弘揚楚戈生前致力藝術創作，並全力推廣現代藝術與中華文化的理念，本中心特地與財團法人楚戈文化藝術基金會特地共同舉辦楚戈藝術紀念展以及系列相關活動。

In post WWII Taiwan, Chu Ko was an artist that did not fit into any category. Sometimes, he wrote and published essays. At other times, he was passionate in writing poetry, drawing illustrations, writing criticism, studying antiques, painting water-ink paintings, engraving, and even making installation art with robes. In the end, he engaged in oil painting. For people in literary circles, they did not agree with his writings because he did not receive any formal training. They thought he was just scribbling like a lonely Zen practitioner. Beyond everyone’s expectation, his essays were vivid and authentic; his poems, dense and imagistic. Scholars did not agree with him because he lacked formal academic training. They denigrated him because most of his arguments were subjective. However, his studies of the patterns in the antiques surpassed those criticism deduced from careful examination. With all his efforts, he created a synchronic and diachronic cultural system all by himself. His Dragon’s History was recommended by Nils Göran David Malmqvist, a renowned Sweden Sinologist, as a masterpiece that symbolized the end of the “giant’s” era, written by a knowledgeable and learned Confucian. Some artists did not agree with him because they thought his Chinese water-ink painting to be straight and unrefined, and not professional enough. However, his unprofessional skills allowed him to paint great paintings that surpassed even professionally trained painters.
In the post WWII literary and art circles, Chu Ko was a prominent figure that was accomplished in literature, criticism, academic research, and painting. More importantly, he excelled in all these fields with a systematic thought and his unrestrained character. Such achievements could hardly be accomplished by other artists. In March 2011, Chu Ko died at the age of eighty. In order to publicize his passion in artistic creation and enthusiasm in promoting modern art and Chinese culture, our center has collaborated with the Chu Ko Cultural and Art Foundation to sponsor related activities and this memorial exhibition.