’Melody in ink over England英倫墨韻

第一届英國倫敦丹青书画會師生作品聨展

The first exhibition of the Danqin painting Society in London-featuring works by teacher and students

‘’Melody in ink over England’’

——-The first exhibition of the Danqin painting Society in London-featuring works by teacher and students

Introduction

We are a group of individuals from different countries and different backgrounds. It is with good fortune that our paths crossed in England as our shared interest in Chinese painting drawn us together.

Some of us have been taking Chinese painting lessons for years, some of us for far less time. Since March 2020 when Covid-19 caused lockdown in the country with the order to Stay Home, classes had to close, much to our dismay. However, with adversity came strength. The Stay Home order gave us more time to focus on our painting, resulting in better understanding and appreciation of the art form.

As Covid-19 restrictions are coming to a close, we agreed that each of us would submit three pieces of work to form an online exhibition. This will enable us to see the progress one another had made. Moreover, we hope the exhibition can attract comments and encouragements from masters in the field, to help us to reach higher standards.

Naturally, our work is not to art college student standard. To most of us, painting is a hobby during our spare time after work or in retirement. The exhibition will therefore display a range of abilities depending on the time and duration each student had devoted to learning the subject. But each of us can safely claim that perseverance during the pandemic has been worthwhile.

We may not all become artists, but through the process of learning and engaging in this activity, we should reap the benefit of attaining inner peace, tranquillity and reduction of stress. In the same vein as Tai Chi and Qi Gong, our art should lead to better health and longevity.

Do come and join us in this traditional Chinese art.

William Cai

“英倫墨韵”

——-第一届英國倫敦丹青书画會師生作品聨展

序言

这里是一群来自不同国家，不同文化背景的人，有缘相识于英国。都是为着对中国文化的共同喜爱，而聚集在这研习书画的大家庭。

我們在一起研习书画已经有些年头了。尤其最近全球遭遇新冠疫症肆虐，自2019年三月起，英国实行封城抗疫，大家都必须禁足宅家。这本是一项事出无奈，令人沮丧之举措。为着抗疫，不得已而为之。然而，吾等一众同仁，不为严酷事实所困，抖擞精神，把恶劣的窘境当做意志的锻炼，充分利用居家之良机，积极乐观，更加专注于书画的学习和钻研。

俗话讲得好！功夫不负有心人。经过这一年多来的闭关，神闲气定，勤学苦练，大家的书画水平，竟然取得到大幅度的提高！骄人成果，有目共睹！

为此，征得大家共识，决定由各人自己挑選心儀作品三幅，集腋成裘，筹办一个网展。一方面，可以将大家近阶段的学习心得，做一个小结，互相切磋，共同提高；一方面，也期翼得到各界社会贤达，书画界行家老师们的教益。

当然，我们并不是专业的书画团体，我们的艺术水平，是不能与艺术院校的学生相提并论。大家都是本着一股对中国书画的爱好，而走到一起来的。我们之中，有些人，是利用工作之余，挤出时间来学习；有些人，是在退休之后才开始学习。大家都是怀着对中国文化的热爱，坚持不懈，刻苦用功的学习精神，确实是值得嘉许的！

各人参加学习的时间有先后，当然程度就会有所不同。

所以这次展示的作品，就會存在着水平上的差别。然而在这里，作品水平的高低，并不是最重要的。重要的是要鼓励这种积极热心的投入和参与的精神。

生活中并不需要人人都成为艺术家，但如果每个人都多点艺术修养，生活就会变得更加美好！

我以为，研习中国书画，目的也并不都是为了能成为大书画家。

我觉得通过书画的研习过程，是有类似做太极和气功的功效，可以修身养性，陶冶情操，强身健体，延年益寿！

我们的意愿是，通过这次网展，能起抛砖引玉之功，鼓励更多人的喜爱和参与，一起弘扬中国传统文化。让这书画艺术，墨香飘溢英倫。

蔡唯敏谨识