Father of Art Theory

“Whether from practice or from theory, artist of achievements are many.” said Deng Bai, an artist of older generation, “but one like Zhang Daoyi, who is well-known for both, is difficult to find.” For decades, Mr. Zhang dig into ancient documents, penetrated into countryside and did thorough researches before arriving at whatever conclusion.

Since the 1980s, he turned to the construction of art as a branch of learning. He called on the elevation of art to a comprehensive human science. The principles and rules of art, as well as the universality and individuality between its categories, Mr. Zhang argues, can only be abstracted from a comprehensive education. Theory and practice must proceed hand in hand, and the imbalance between them is the culprit of the present frustration of art. The “Art Theory” he pioneered, and the department he initiated in Southeast University in June, 1994, filled the blank of this field.

Professional, knowledgeable and integral—these are the comments from Deng Bai, above mentioned. He chose art as his life-long career from the very beginning, and has fully comprehended philosophy, aesthetics, history, archaeology and art theories, apart from his professional research. Also, he is an upright person, who believes that only morals and good manners could give birth to everlasting art.

The place where he was born, the story about him still goes. Some say he has become a magnet, others say a painter. Whatever he is in their eyes, Zhang Daoyi would be forever looked upon as the father of art theory in China.

By Yuan Yue (Shandong Bureau)

Editor: Liu Fang