During my artist residency, I have been undergoing pre-solo training at the Cambridge Gliding Centre, which has provided me with a wealth of inspiration for my artistic creations. The ground training and flying experiences are closely intertwined with my artistic practice. Both gliding pilots and artists must continually hone their sensitivity, dexterity, and concentration. The sailplane is a fragile yet powerful medium of artistic expression, embodying the delicate balance between freedom and control.
I am fascinated by how gliding instructors and students transform their experiences into art through their imagination. This inspired me to host the experimental ink workshop focused on gliding for members of the CGC and CUGC last summer and this summer, with a total of 45 participants. Through interactions with various gliding club members, I not only learned about the aviation history of Cambridge and the spirit of airmanship, but also connected with many members studying aircraft engineering, leading to extensive discussions about art and mechanics. These sessions explored gliding as a metaphor for artistic expression, drawing parallels between the sensitivity required in flight and creative practice.
In the workshop, participants created ink paintings using a variety of materials. After learning techniques in Chinese calligraphy, collage, and rubbing, they practiced blending and diffusing different inks on paper. They explored the dynamic interplay between water, ink, and paper, mastering how to control these elements in their artistic compositions. I guided them in experimenting with a novel approach to painting that incorporated non-traditional inks and mixed media. I was deeply impressed by their creative methods throughout the experiment.
