Painting the Dao

135 ak24.79 Water, Pine and Stone Conversation Ink and watercolour on cloud-dragon paper 78 × 101 cm, Hong Kong, November 2024 Four artist seals 水松石山房 Shuisongshi shanfang (Water, Pine and Stone Retreat) 竹虛老人 Zhuxu laoren (Old man as empty inside as bamboo) 養石閒人 Yangshi xianren (Idler who cherishes stones) 山外山樵 Shanwai shanqiao (Mountain woodcutter who is not in the mountains) inscr iption Convoluted stones make the moon a guest. Ancient pines invite mournful wind to sigh its song through dancing branches, bringing the crystal chatter of the falls as distant flutes. While asleep, Zeng Gongliang heard beneath his bed the sad soughing pines and saw the clouds of myriad peaks as he feared to open his window in case a mighty river surged through. Jing Hao needed neither wind nor pines to hear the lingering whisper of their song. Wang Wei, stalwart companion beyond the Stage of Time, tuned the sounds to chirruping birds and chanting friends. Surely it is the sound of the qin I hear? No, it is the symphony of the wilderness. Inscribed by the Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat at the Garden at the Edge of the Universe with brush and ink as my orchestra as I journey into wonder as autumn clads the distant Nodding Stone Garden with raiment of gold and cinnabar, November 2024.