The Tao of Art: Exploring Daoist Philosophy in Contemporary Art

Abstract

This paper will explore whether Taoist thought is still applicable to the context of contemporary art and explore which theories in the Taoist thought system can be utilized by artists and rationally expressed in a variety of art forms (e.g., easel painting, installation art, performance art, eco-art, etc.). This article will use a combination of image analysis, literature research, and comparative study to explore its embodiment in contemporary art creation, including the penetration of the concepts of nature, life, and the universe. The article will first provide an overview of Taoist aesthetics, then use traditional landscape painting as an entry point, explain the fundamental painting theories of two painters who have had a significant influence on Tao, and finally analyze in depth how contemporary Chinese artists embody Tao elements, comparing and analyzing them with relevant artists from other countries. Finally, it examines how modern Chinese artists' works follow Tao principles and compares them to those of other countries. We present the article chronologically to explore the Tao's inclusivity and permanence across cultures, times, and countries. The contrast with ancient painters demonstrates how contemporary artists have used Taoist ideas to address modern society's ecological dilemma and spiritual distress, resulting in a philosophical and aesthetic creative expression.