The Realm of Amalgamation 通會境界

Professor Jao is fond of inscribing a sentence quoted from the Book of Changes, “As universe operates vigorously, a noble man shhould also endeavor for advancemnt.” In this quotation, “endeavor for advancemnt” best describes how Professor Jao performs in the academic and art fields.

Regarding art, Professor Jao has presented his amazing creativity since the 21st century, and the most important among his many achievements is the theory of “Northwestern School Landscape” published in 2007. He advocates that the scenes of the Northwestern China should be portrayed with new techniques and composition because of its individuality. He personally practices the brushwork, ink usage, and the composition he advocates. In addition, he uses innovative painting methods to present paintings in Dunhuang style, Zen painting, landscape painting style of Ni Zan, and the integration of splash water and color, opening up a new path for potential followers.

In calligrphy, Professor Jao’s unprecedented creativity is clearly seen. For example, he presents oracle bone, bornze, and bamboo and silk script in large characters, or does calligraphy on cavas with the application of colors mixed with ink. Undeniably, 21st century is the “Realm of Amalgamation” to Professor Jao.

饒宗頤教授為人題辭，好書《易‧繫辭》：「天行健，君子以自強不息。」「自強不息」四字正是他在藝術及學術上的最佳寫照。在學術上，饒教授在年過八十高齡時發表了中國文字源流方面的重要著作──《漢字樹》。在他九十歲以後，又參用了最近出土的甲骨、簡帛及其他文物，研究中國西南地區文化，出版了《西南文化創世紀》。

在藝術上，饒教授從廿一世紀開始更表現了他驚人的創作力，其中至為重要的，是他在2007年發表了「中國西北宗山水畫說」，他主張因中國西北的山水別具一格，必須用新的技法及章法去描繪，他更身體力行去創作。另外，他用前人所未有的技法去描繪荷花，用創新的方法去寫敦煌、禪畫、雲林體山水與潑水、潑彩交融的畫法，都為後來者開創了新的路向。在書法方面，他以榜書的方法寫甲骨、金文、簡帛，用西洋畫布及顏料混合水墨來寫書法，亦是位前人所未見。對饒教授而言，廿一世紀就是「通匯之際」。