"That's not what you said when you taught me. What the old man said was unconscionable."
Tang Ning is the youngest junior sister.
She has been favored and pampered by her brothers, sisters, and dealers from various galleries since she was a child.
Although he is already in his forties, he still has a squeamish character.
Among Mr. Cao's apprentices, only Tang Ning dared to talk to the teacher like this.
"My painting at the same age is much better than that of Gu Weijing. Don't you still keep urging me to concentrate?"
Tangning was a little unconvinced.
Painters should let their paintings speak.
Regarding the level of Chinese painting, when she was eighteen or nineteen years old, she was able to have her own small booth at her father's art exhibition.
In "Suzhou-Hangzhou Cultural News", a master of traditional Chinese painting commented on her at that time - "The colors of the brush and ink are magnificent and have everyone's standards."
This is not comparable to Gu Weijing's current level.
"Teach students in accordance with their aptitude."
Mr. Cao Xuan is not angry at all.
"Xiao Ning comes from a wealthy family of calligraphers and painters in the south of the Yangtze River. From the moment he picked up a paintbrush, he grew up in the adulation of outsiders and was overly arrogant, so I have always asked you to calm down, be at ease and concentrate."
He explained: "Gu Weijing was born in Southeast Asia, and the artistic environment he grew up in was not as good as yours. Painters from small places are most likely to lose their sharpness. No matter how good his paintings are, his courage to paint makes me think highly of him."
"I looked at his paintings and I have made great progress during this period. Lin Tao, you taught me well."
Mr. Cao praised him.
"People learn well on their own. I have taught many people, but few can make such rapid progress."
Lin Tao did not take credit.
"It's just teacher, if Gu Weijing can only paint to this point, I think it is still too early to try to combine styles of meticulous oil painting."
Lin Tao hesitated for a moment and put forward his own idea: "I think Junior Sister Tang Ning is right. We should wait eight or ten years before talking."
"It doesn't matter, young people are not afraid of making mistakes. The style of painting in the Singapore Art Exhibition... is actually a very thoughtful plus point."
Mr. Cao commented.
"But... this is exactly my concern. I feel that in the next few years, he will not be able to compare with Xiao Cui who is also following this style. From many aspects, maybe he should stop trying this way."
Lin Tao hesitated.
Although there is no first place in literature, there is no second place in martial arts.
But in the painter industry, the market value is indeed divided into first and second, and the gap is huge.
The smaller the number of people in the painting style, the
The more so.
If the value of the first Picasso in the eyes of collectors is one hundred points, then the value of the second Picasso is not ninety-five points, but fifty points, thirty points, or even ten points, or five points.
The old man Qi Baishi said to his closed-door son Mr. Xu Linlu, the painting world's bible - "Those who learn from me will live, and those who imitate me will die."
That's the meaning.
Artists have standards for artists.
Young new generation painters, and also benchmarks among young new generation painters.
Professor Lin Tao worries that he will not be able to compete with established artists such as Wu Guanzhong and Zao Wou-Ki in the field of fusion painting.
He was also worried that Gu Weijing would not be able to compare to Cui Xiaoming on the same path.
Artists can also rely on their decades of accumulation in art to compete in the market through style dislocation.
Similar to Zhao Wuji who is good at color, Wu Guanzhong is good at ink painting, and Zhu Naizheng is good at calligraphy.
The painter's "Tao" is different.
As for young painters,
To be honest, based on their experience, they can clearly draw the two styles and merge them together forcefully.
Even a young hero.
As for art concepts, this is too far away from young painters.
Since they are all the most basic fusion painting styles of oriental meticulous oil painting and ink,
If the same routine is used, it will be difficult to present different styles in the final picture.
It’s not scary to wear matching clothes, whoever is ugly will be embarrassed.
The same goes for painting.
It may be difficult to compare an ordinary Chinese painting with another ordinary oil painting to determine one, two, three, or four.
But for the same art track, there is a very intuitive comparison ability.
"It's better to do better than that. What are you worried about? Xiao Gu has the courage to challenge. Don't we, the elders, have the tolerance to tolerate his failure?"
Mr. Cao asked back.
"Teacher, I know you may not like to hear this, but you are the pinnacle of Eastern Xia art in Asia. If your close disciples are not as good as other people's children, there will always be people gossiping about them."
Professor Lin Tao reminded quietly.
Unconsciously,
He has begun to seriously consider whether Gu Weijing can really become his junior brother.
First of all, Gu Weijing's improvement during this period is indeed amazing.
Secondly, Professor Lin Tao also realized that using this painting method to participate in the Singapore Art Exhibition was indeed a very creative bonus.
After all, there is no completely objective evaluation standard for art.
Even if the chance is still low, just in case the organizing committee sees it right and gives a small prize like "Outstanding Creative Award" or "New Style Award",
It's really not impossible.
For Gu Weijing, this was naturally what he wanted, and it was also the best result that could be expected.
Even Mr. Cao would not expect Gu Weijing to win the main prize of the art exhibition.
That is an area where only famous old painters can compete.
Basically, works that can win the main prize of this kind of international biennale can be sold in major galleries for a price of around six figures.
The unit is, of course, US dollars.
Even if you can only win a small prize, it is not difficult to become a millionaire with no worries about food and clothing by relying on painting in this life.
But from the perspective of Mr. Cao's disciples.
millionaire……
Sorry, you really have no shit.
What everyone is more concerned about is world-class influence.
What I care about is whether you can become an unavoidable mountain in the history of art in a hundred years. Can she succeed Mr. Cao, or even replace the original pinnacle of Asian art? Yayoi Kusama, the female artist with the highest market price in human history, becomes the leader of the new generation of Asian art.
Those venomous art critics don't care about Gu Weijing's family conditions and Cui Xiaoming's family conditions.
Mr. Cao's close disciples can't compare to other young painters on the same subject matter.
It’s really easy to say but not nice to hear.
"Full of copper stench."
Mr. Cao Xuan was a little angry.
"You are a painter, not an art speculator. What others say is none of your business! You are hesitant to look forward and backward, and you compare yourself with fame. Billy, you are afraid that others will paint better than you, and you are afraid that others will sell them more expensively than you. You compare yourself with others. The calmness in my heart is gone. It’s something that cannot become angry.”
Lin Tao could feel the little old man's anger even through the screen of his mobile phone.
He smiled helplessly.
Painters are not sages. There are few who can be as detached as the old man.
He had known these words before and the teacher didn't like to hear them.
But Lin Tao is Cao Lao's eldest disciple. If he doesn't say these "unfaithful words of advice", who will?
"It's not entirely from a utilitarian point of view. Being suppressed by a painter of the same age is not good for Xiao Gu himself." He was still trying to persuade Mr. Cao to order Gu Weijing to give up this art style.
This reason is not entirely Professor Lin Tao's excuse.
Although Cui Xiaoming is nearly ten years older than Gu Weijing.
If it is a sport that changes generations quickly, such as sports, it may be two generations.
In the field of slow-paced painting, he is still in the category of painters of the same age.
An extra decade of age means an extra decade of painting experience and an extra decade of artistic experience.
What young painters lack most is experience.
When Gu Weijing met Cui Xiaoming, even if the child was very talented, which of the famous painters might not have the best talent?
In Lin Tao's view, it is very likely that he will be overwhelmed by the opponent for a very long time in the future.
Once or twice doesn't matter.
If you do this for a long time, your mood will become weak.
Painters can no longer care about other people's gossip, but they have to believe in the brush in their own hands.
"If you are not as good as others, then learn from it. There is no shame in it." Mr. Cao gave his final instructions for this discussion in a conclusive tone.
"It's a shame if you don't even have the courage to draw."
…
It's morning in Germany.
Mr. Cao Xuan put his mobile phone on the table and fell into deep thought.
"Mr. Cao, this is the speech I have written. Please check it again. You will make the final appearance at the European International Art Annual Conference next month, second only to Sir Brown, the chairman of the "Oil Painting" art magazine. Jügerhard Richter.”
Assistant Lao Yang placed a specially enlarged printed version of the first draft of the speech on the breakfast table in front of Mr. Cao.
Before Mr. Cao dealt with the news in the group of teachers, they were discussing the European International Art Annual Conference to be opened in Munich in April.
This is a very important political and cultural annual meeting.
Many artists will attend then.
When giving reports at important foreign conferences, the opening speech is usually given by a government official of the organizer. The farther back the speaker is, the more important the speaker is.
The annual European International Art Conference,
The opening report will be attended by the Austrian Prime Minister in person, and among the cultural figures who will appear, Mr. Cao ranks second.
surpassed the head of the old art magazine "Oil Painting" and was second only to Gerhard Richter.
Richter and Mr. Cao are almost contemporaries, and are known as the most expensive artists in the world. There are also rumors that a certain famous mustache liked Richter's works.
Considering Richter's age, the possibility that the mustache is from a young Richter fan is actually not very high. It should be the nonsense of the lace art tabloids.
But the market price... it’s hard to say the most expensive, but the top five are certain.
It can’t compare to the Federal Reserve’s money printing machine that is running like this. Even though it fails, it is still an honor.
"Mr. Cao? Do you want to rest for a while?"
After seeing Mr. Cao replying to the WeChat message, Lao Yang was obviously distracted and reminded him aloud.
"Well... please find Cui Xuanyou's phone number for me."
Mr. Cao tapped his fingers lightly on the table and gave the order.
"Is it Da Cui, teacher Cui Xuanyou?"
Lao Yang asked while searching for the number in the address book of his mobile phone.
"Yes, that's him."
Mr. Cao nodded.
As both artists living in Germany, Lao Yang found the other party's number without any difficulty, and the call was quickly dialed.
"Which one?"
A middle-aged man asked in German from the phone.
"Mr. Cui Xuanyou, right? I am Cao Xuan."
Mr. Cao said into the phone receiver.
The person on the other end of the phone obviously paused for a moment, and then said with a bit of restraint in his tone: "It's Mr. Cao. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you."
"It's like this. I have a child here who is studying painting and wants to participate in this year's Singapore Art Biennale. I shamelessly want you to point out his works. I don't know if that's okay. You may be more professional than me in this regard."
Mr. Cao asked in a very polite tone.
"You want me? Oh... of course, is he in Germany? I'll leave you the address of my studio." Cui Xuanyou's tone was obviously a little confused.
But he immediately agreed without hesitation.
If Mr. Cao is said to be a world-class artist who has jumped out of the Three Realms and is not in the Five Elements.
The status of painters such as Kazunari Sakai, Lin Tao, and Tang Ning can be considered to be first-rate, and they have high international reputation, but their main influence is still limited to one continent.
Then this Cui Xuanyou can probably only belong to the second-tier famous painters.
Probably one of the weaker artists represented by top galleries like Gagosian.
The international community probably knows that there is such a person. Some collectors like his works, and fine works of art can be sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
That's all.
In the eyes of ordinary painters, this is of course a great painter floating in the sky.
But it's a bit far away from Cao Lao's coffee position.
"He is not in Germany. I will send photos of his paintings to your email. Please help to take a look."
If you don’t know how, just learn.
These words are not just spoken.
Mr. Cao finally decided to consult Cui Xuanyou, who could train his son to become the first person in the younger generation's fusion painting style.
Mr. Cao knows painting, but his main focus is on specializing in Chinese painting.
Many things like painting are empirical.
At least, Mr. Cao believes that in terms of experience in teaching children to integrate Eastern and Western painting techniques, his own experience is definitely not as good as Cui Xuanyou, who has successful cases and has already trained his son.
People who have had similar experiences can save themselves a lot of detours if they can learn about it.
At this time, Lao Yang had already sent the photos of Gu Weijing's paintings to his mailbox.
He understood the whole story, looked at Mr. Cao with a troubled expression, and opened his mouth to say something.
Mr. Cao waved his hand.
Lao Yang could only sigh.
The favor and meaning that Mr. Cao made with this phone call were much heavier than the words he said to Gu Weijing, "You are better than me."
Mr. Cao Xuan once asked me for advice, how much face is this, how much favor is this.
The art world is Vanity Fair,
It is said that a teacher is like a father.
How many teachers in the world are willing to do this for students who have not yet started?
Don't talk about teacher,
For some artists who are indifferent to family affection, your own father may not be so embarrassed as to beg for help.
"Wait a minute, let me turn on the computer."
Cui Xuanyou was obviously a little dazed by the pie falling from the sky, and his tone revealed excitement.
"Wait a minute, it's a fusion painting."
When he saw the file in the computer mailbox, he was obviously stunned for a moment, and his tone immediately became wary.
"You said he was a young man. How old is he?"
"Gu Weijing should be only seventeen years old this year." Mr. Cao said softly.
"He wants to try a fusion painting style. I know that your son Cui Xiaoming is doing a good job in this area, so I would like to ask you for some advice."
There was silence on the other side for a few more seconds.
(End of chapter)
