The extraordinary artistic conception of pine trees fully reveals a unique natural beauty

Works by He Zhixiong - Century-old Chinese Pine Grand Champion

Pine! An extraordinary artistic conception that makes everyone love it beyond measure

Text | Zhang Weijie

Pine! The spirit it represents is firmness and tenacity, unwavering perseverance. Its tree form varies depending on the unique environment and terrain. The dominant type: majestic momentum, a single pillar holding up the sky, steady as Mount Tai. The expressive type: the proud bearing of a scholar, leading in elegance, transcending the mundane. The perilous type: overlooking a ten-thousand-fathom abyss, suspended on a single edge, as if standing on the peak of sheer danger. At times it turns against the wind, coiling like a dragon, twisted and suspended, the divine dragon showing its head but not its tail. Only a tree species with such varied transformations can make people love it so much beyond measure, and only the pine can express such an extraordinary artistic conception.

Works by Xie Wenhu - 2013 Chinese Pine Exhibition Grand Champion

Over the past more than twenty years of enjoying bonsai, I have personally come to understand many truths. First, I learned how to "calm the mind." In the process of cultivating and creating bonsai, one cannot rush; one must be calm and peaceful, otherwise haste makes waste. In mild cases, branches and bones are damaged; in severe cases, not even a trace remains. Second, I learned "patience and waiting." In the course of bonsai cultivation, waiting is extremely important. From field cultivation to pot cultivation, the creative plan proceeds step by step, taking as little as ten years or as long as thirty to fifty years. All of this has made me realize that in the learning process of life, one should be humble, live slowly, and not advance rashly.

Works by Chen Wenhuan - 2010 Chinese Pine Exhibition Grand Champion

I personally feel deeply that growing bonsai and raising children have many similarities. In a child's growth process, one must pour in love, care, patience, nutrition, and upbringing. Bonsai is the same. After it is fully grown, it repays you at the appropriate time, delighting your eyes and purifying your soul, ascending to elegance and achieving wholeness.

Works by You Qingnan - 2009 Chinese Pine Exhibition Grand Champion

Works by Chen Wenhuan - 2008 Chinese Pine Exhibition Grand Champion

Works by Li Yicong - 2007 Chinese Pine Exhibition Grand Champion

Works by Zhou Wenhuang

Works by Zhuang Wenxian

Works by Yan Maolin

Works by Xie Zhencun

Works by Zhuang Wenmao

Works by Shen Zhenkun

Works by Zhan Qianguo

Works by Wang Shunxi

Works by Liu Pingyuan

Works by Yu Rongzong

Works by Liu Mingzong

Works by Lai Rongzhou

Works by Huang Sishan

Works by Luo Shikun

Works by He Zhixiong

Works by He Yongyu

Works by He Yongyu

Works by He Yongyu

Works by Chen Wenhuan

The works are selected from award-winning works of past Chinese Pine Exhibitions

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