"I aspire to be guided by goodness. Both goodness in aesthetics and goodness in heart are nice things to pursue. I also remind myself to beware of fake goodness, try to stay true and create works that reflect my authentic self."

Lorita Lai

Lorita Lai

Founder of True heart • Good art, Lorita Lai (L7-06) is an experienced interdisciplinary practitioner in fine art and social work. Regularly conducting workshops on Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, contemporary ink art, and pastel Nagomi art (harmony pastel), Lorita helps the participants take care of their mind, body and soul. Collaboration with art and cultural organisations to conduct community art is something that she always welcomes.

Born and bred in Hong Kong, Lorita holds Master Degrees in respectively Social Work and Fine Art. She is a full-time social worker who balances her life by practicing arts – actively participating in Chinese calligraphy and painting exhibitions, and collaborating with community organisations to promote community arts. Author of several books and a winner of the Youth Literary Awards, Lorita works tirelessly to promote Chinese calligraphy and the Lingnan School of Chinese painting.

Photo taken in the artist’s studio

Q1. J

Do you see cross influence between the way you handle text (as in calligraphy or scripture-copying) and images (as in ink painting and harmony pastel) in your art?

A1. L

Yes! In fact, Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting were born together – the calligraphed inscriptions in an ink painting actually forms an important part of it. In fact, we say “writing a painting” to describe the act of painting an ink painting – due to ink painting’s emphasis on brush stroke, ink and linear aesthetics which are conceptually close to Chinese calligraphy’s focus on creating lines that are rich, light, dry or wet.

That said, calligraphy is my go-to medium for expressing my thoughts after I have read something inspiring. You can say that calligraphy is the way that I record my philosophical insights. Like recently, I was so inspired by Dr Tao Kwok Cheung’s mention of Zhuangzi’s philosophy behind “voidness brings tranquility, and auspiciousness will follow”, that I decided to turn it into some calligraphed spring couplets for the New Year, and would likely be using it as a creative concept for my artwork in the future.

Q2. J

In art therapy, harmony pastel supposedly helps to relax the mind and body. Do you think ink painting and calligraphy can have a similar effect? What are the main similarities and differences between the three art mediums that you find when working with them?

A2. L

Ink painting and calligraphy are art mediums I have studied for many years, and they have become the source and basis of my self-cultivation. Harmony pastel as a creative technique is a recent import and relatively easier to master. For me, each art medium has its own unique charm and strengths; you simply choose the most suitable medium for expressing the idea, emotion, or message depending on who you are communicating with and where. I believe that having a choice to work with different art mediums is creatively inspiring.

Photo taken in the artist’s studio

Photo taken in the artist’s studio

Q3. J

Do you see local impact on the traditional Chinese arts as they are being practised in Hong Kong? Are there any local characteristics as arts develop in Hong Kong?

A3. L

Hong Kong is blessed with a unique historical and cultural background that probably makes it easier for artists to embrace artistic philosophy and concepts from everywhere, no matter their origins are Chinese or foreign. Like fellow Hong Kong people, our artists also love travelling and many of the sights and experience of their travels would end up inspiring their works whether or not they are conscious about it.

Q4. J

What do you think are essential qualities for an artist?

A4. L

I believe that every artist is unique but they share the common trait that is an unwavering passion for art. It is this inexplicable force that drives them to persevere in their artistic pursuit.

Photo courtesy of the Artist

Photo courtesy of the Artist

Q5. J

What do you think may change for art technology, artists and traditional artists in the future (like in terms of technique, work presentation, learning process and challenges)?

A5. L

Art technology offers artists with endless innovative possibilities in terms of medium and technique. I’ll say that even for traditional arts, artists will not be sticking to merely what has gone before. I believe that artistic diversity and evolution will continue to be an intrinsic part of human existence and history.

Photo courtesy of the Artist

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