“Lanting Culture Salon” – China National Academy of Painting Presents an Ink Wash Painting Workshop & a Lecture on Dunhuang Mural Art

Follow our expert on a journey along the ancient Silk Road to explore the millennium-old artistic treasure — the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang. The lecture will unveil the Buddhist stories, historical changes, and cultural exchanges behind the vibrant colors and flying apsaras in the murals. You will discover how ancient artists used mineral pigments to create these dazzling artworks that have shone for centuries in the desert, appreciating the unique aesthetics born from multicultural fusion.

Under professional guidance, you will personally experience the joy of creating Chinese ink wash paintings. Starting from how to hold the brush and control the ink, you will feel the rhythm of the brush moving across rice paper, learning how to capture the spirit of nature through simple shades of black, white, and grey, along with the density and void of lines. You will have the chance to complete your own small ink painting, experiencing the Eastern philosophy of “the idea precedes the brushstroke, and meaning lingers beyond the image.”

Dr. Wang Zhi holds a PhD in Fine Arts and completed postdoctoral research in Art Studies. Formerly a researcher at the Palace Museum, he now serves as a researcher at China National Academy of Painting. With extensive experience in Chinese art history research and practice, he has published several academic books and received multiple awards for both his research and artistic creations, with his works selected for national art exhibitions.