On November 9, 2014, portrait seals in the theme of “A Philosophical Exploration with a Clear Mind” (“Cheng Xin Guan Dao”) have been put on exhibition in Zhizhi Hall (the Dharma Hall) of Lingyin Temple. The exhibition was co-organized by Lingyin Temple and Xiling Seal Society. About a hundred people attended the opening ceremony, including Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Hangzhou and Abbot of Lingyin Temple Venerable Master Guangquan, Director of Hangzhou Xiling Seal Society Research Office of Portrait Seals Zhang Gengyuan, and leading officials from Xiling Seal Society, to name just a few.
A total number of 59 portrait seals made by members of Xiling Seal Society and other 27 specially invited seal artists have been put on display, including portraits of the Eighteen Arhats as well as portraits of famous historical and cultural figures in Hangzhou. The exhibition is of great value both for artistic appreciation and for mind cultivation in that it is a perfect unity of the Buddhist culture and the Westlake culture. In addition, several wood cut printed (wood cut printing, a printmaking technique in which an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed, typically with gouges) volumes of Buddhist scriptures by Ten Bamboo Studio (Shi Zhu Zhai) have also been put on display.
Seal engraving is the quintessence of Chinese culture. Besides calligraphy seal engraving, there is portrait seal engraving, which is to engrave a human portrait in a seal. One of the highlights of this exhibition is the new perspective of reproducing and engraving a specific human portrait with the traditional technique for portrait seal making. The works on display manifest the unity of form and spirit and show a vivid reproduction of the human figures.
This exhibition of portrait seals will last until November 20.
A scene of the exhibition
Works currently on display
Venerable Abbot Guangquan, “Lingyin Temple is dedicated to the promotion of traditional culture.”
Venerable Abbot Guangquan communicating with a guest
A crowd of viewers at the exhibition
