Painting the Dao

108 ak22.43 Cloud Gatherer at Rest Ink and watercolour on cloud-dragon paper mounted on xuan paper Handscroll, image 44.5 × 281.0 cm, Sussex and Hong Kong, autumn 2022 Consultative joint work with Robin inscr iption Title Slip Cloud Gatherer at Rest One artist seal 水松石山房 Shuisongshi shanfang (Water, Pine and Stone Retreat) Title Panel Cloud Gatherer at Rest One artist seal 水松石山房 Shuisongshi shanfang (Water, Pine and Stone Retreat) Colophon This staff was originally depicted vertically, set against a background of the ancient trees from which it might have been made, but as the layers accumulated it began to acquire independent confidence, so it shed its support. Staves can do that. Strolling in the twilight, with hand clutching staff, the cosmos awaits a conductor . . . thaumaturgy. All artists are alchemists in the sense of transforming lower-level materials into higher-level meaning, and in the process, the separate self into the transcendent Self. Cinnabar, the source to feed crucible and alembic in physical alchemy, suggested itself as the final layer. Applied thick, with complete indifference as to outcome, the strong colour crowned the underlying layers of more carefully applied pigments, transforming the image to reach beyond rationality. In gratitude, inscribed by the Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat at the Garden at the Edge of the Universe, in the late summer, early autumn of 2022. Three artist seals 樂琴書以消永日 Le qinshu yi xiao yongri (Enjoying the qin and books to while away the long days) 有意无意 Youyi wuyi (Between intention and no intention) 无爲 Wuwei (Without action)