ARTicle | Remembering Hsiao Chin, the Sage of Life

Through repeated encounters with Laoshi's artworks and a deepening understanding of the man behind them, I gradually uncovered the answer - a profound comprehension and sincere dedication to the very essence of life and art.

 

At the 2018 'A Historical Dialogue with Art' book launch event at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, I had the privilege of engaging with Hsiao Laoshi once more. During the talk, he shared the profound impact of his beloved daughter's passing in 1990, a period of immense grief that rendered him unable to paint for seven or eight months. Yet, it was this dark chapter that inspired Laoshi to contemplate the nature of life and death, leading him to the realisation that they are merely fleeting material manifestations – for life is, in fact, infinite. This epiphany catalysed a transformation in Laoshi's artistic style, imbuing his work with a heightened intensity of color and a renewed sense of optimism and vitality.

The words of Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh resonate deeply here: "Clouds do not die, they just become rain; rain is not born, it is just a new form and the continuation of clouds." Life and death, as Laoshi understood, are but illusions born of a series of causative events - the essence of life transcends this phenomenal cycle. As a Buddhist practitioner myself, I deeply appreciate the theoretical understanding of this truth, yet also recognise the profound challenge of embodying it in one's lived experience. The fact that Laoshi not only grasped these profound insights but also channeled them into his art, emerging from the darkness of grief with even greater strength, is truly admirable.

 

Later that year, at the 'Zen。Art' talk held at Tsz Shan Monastery, Hsiao Laoshi expounded further on this realisation. He emphasised that his daughter's passing had taught him how to truly grasp the essence of life. When the heavens cast darkness upon us, it is to help us discern the light that lies within. Negativity, Laoshi asserted, is merely a facade that invites us to perceive the radiant possibilities that await. "There is no darkness in the world," he proclaimed, "it is up to us whether we see it."

 

This sentiment resonates profoundly with the Buddhist teaching that "Affliction Is Bodhi”, which means through the nature of affliction, we can see wisdom. The core of all pain and darkness, as Laoshi understood, is actually light, and those who comprehend this universal truth will forever reside in a realm of luminous clarity. This realm of enlightenment is directly manifested in Laoshi's artistic oeuvre, where elements of love, light, and infinity often emerge, imbued with boundless vigor, beauty, and energy.

Laoshi often spoke of our obligation to understand the meaning of life, and to use this understanding to guide others toward enlightenment, merging into an energy that transcends all bounds. According to Buddhism, one should liberate himself and liberate the others, and through his art and his outlook on life, Hsiao Chin Laoshi has indeed influenced countless viewers to discover the happiness and light that resides within. In my eyes, an artist with such a spirit is the very embodiment of one who has reached the pinnacle.

 

The 2023 'To Infinity and Beyond' exhibition in Macau was a comprehensive display of Hsiao Chin Laoshi's majestic perspective on life and the universe. As his paintings were transformed into large-scale animated videos on towering screens, accompanied by a grand symphony, the audience's hearts were captured and filled with a profound sense of awe and wonder.

 

Hsiao Laoshi claimed: ”I call myself a man from the universe. In other words, I hope that the respect for the universe, for nature and for life force conveyed in my works can inspire enlightenment in those who view them, and inspire them to look at the world with the same compassion, positivity and joy."

 

In this respect, he has undoubtedly succeeded.

 

In my eyes, Hsiao Laoshi was not merely a successful artist, but a sage who possessed an abundance of love. Just as he emphasised, the energy of life is infinite, and the energy of the universe is inherently strong and resplendent. Laoshi's life and selfless heart have become one with the cosmos, and through his work, he will continue to accompany us, inspiring people with his never-ending vigor and vitality.