蕭博駿 Hsiao Po Chun

蕭博駿（b.1991），國立台灣師範大學美術學系美術創作理論組博士（2022），現為專注於當代水墨創作的藝術家，其作品不僅超越傳統，更透過多元的媒材和技法，探索水墨藝術的豐富可能性。攻讀碩士和博士期間，蕭博駿積極吸收和探索各種豐富的藝術營養。他曾到北京中央美術學院，並在知名當代水墨藝術家徐華翎的工作室進行交換學習。隨後，他更遠赴中國甘肅敦煌研究院美術研究所，進行觀摩和訪問，並在敦煌石窟中進行臨摹和研究。這些經歷深化了他對藝術理論和實踐的理解，並豐富了他的創作探索和風格發展。蕭博駿的作品不僅在技術上精湛，而且在主題和表現形式上展現出對當代社會和文化的敏感度和反思。他的創作通過對傳統和現代元素的結合，呈現出獨特的視覺風格和深刻的思想內涵，引發觀者對於當代水墨藝術的新思考和體驗。

蕭博駿的作品融匯了敦煌莫高窟壁畫的佛教圖像、中國江南園林造景和文人雅石清供的文化圖騰，以及時尚名牌奢侈商品的流行符號等視覺元素。這些元素不僅豐富了他的創作內容，也表達了對當代社會精神生活和物質文化的反思。在創作媒材上，蕭博駿在傳統膠彩工筆畫的基礎上強化色彩效果，有時甚至採用立體裝置及攝影相片等形式，使作品既保留了傳統水墨的韻味，又展現出當代潮流美感。蕭博駿擅長使用礦物顏料和金屬箔泥等媒材，採用了工筆、暈染、瀝粉堆金與霧吹等多樣的古典技法，以不同的材料和質感展現出作品的多樣性和豐富度，他的作品在視覺上引人入勝，更於思想上直指當代社會和個人價值觀的反思，呈現出一場充滿詩意和哲思的藝術饗宴。

蕭博駿的創作深藏著對當代社會商業化和流行文化的擔憂和質疑，通過宗教情感深刻反思消費主義帶來的影響，在以西方價值為主導的臺灣藝壇上，他以豐富的當代審美意趣和深刻的文化內涵脫穎而出，不僅在水墨技巧上展現了高超的造詣，更在思想上引領著觀眾對於文化傳承和當代課題的反思，因而成為眾所矚目的水墨藝術家，在臺灣藝壇上獨樹一幟，他以富有當代審美意識的水墨創作躍然紙上，成為引人注目的年輕代表性藝術家，蕭博駿通過視覺形象挑戰傳統與當代的界限，藉由獨特的藝術語言和深邃的文化詮釋，持續引領著觀眾進入一場場充滿意象和深度的思想探索之旅。

Hsiao Po Chun (b. 1991) holds a Ph.D. in Art Creation and Theory from the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University (2022). As an artist dedicated to contemporary ink creation, his work transcends tradition, exploring the rich possibilities of ink art through a diverse array of media and techniques. During his master’s and doctoral studies, Hsiao actively absorbed a wide range of artistic influences. He completed an exchange program at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where he studied in the studio of the renowned contemporary ink artist Xu Hualing. He later traveled to the Fine Arts Institute of the Dunhuang Academy in Gansu, China, where he researched, observed, and reproduced the ancient murals of the Dunhuang Caves. These experiences profoundly deepened his understanding of art theory and practice, enriching his creative exploration and stylistic development. Hsiao’s work is not only technically masterful but also demonstrates a keen sensitivity to and reflection on contemporary society and culture. By seamlessly fusing traditional and modern elements, he creates a unique visual style and profound intellectual depth that inspires viewers to rethink and experience contemporary ink art anew.

His compositions weave together a rich tapestry of visual elements, including Buddhist imagery from the Dunhuang Mogao Caves, the landscaping of classical Jiangnan gardens, traditional scholar’s rocks, and the pop-culture symbols of luxury fashion brands. These diverse elements not only enrich his narrative but also express thoughtful reflections on contemporary spiritual life and modern material culture. In his creative process, Hsiao builds upon the foundation of traditional fine-brush (gongbi) and glue-color painting to intensify his color effects, occasionally incorporating three-dimensional installations and photography. This allows his work to retain the classical charm of traditional ink while exuding a striking contemporary aesthetic. Highly skilled in the use of mineral pigments and metallic foil, Hsiao employs a variety of classical techniques—including meticulous fine-brush painting, gradient shading, raised relief lines with gilding, and traditional mist-blowing—to build diverse textures. Through these varied materials, he creates visually captivating pieces that directly address personal values and modern societal reflections, offering viewers a poetic and philosophical visual feast.

At the core of Hsiao’s practice is a deep-seated questioning of and concern regarding contemporary commercialization and pop culture, utilizing religious and spiritual sensibilities to critically reflect on the impacts of consumerism. In a Taiwanese art scene often dominated by Western values, he stands out with his rich contemporary aesthetic and profound cultural resonance. He not only demonstrates masterful technical prowess in ink painting but also guides his audience to reflect on cultural heritage and pressing modern issues. As a highly regarded and unique ink artist in Taiwan, his contemporary aesthetic sensibilities leap off the paper, making him a striking young representative figure in the field. By challenging the boundaries between the traditional and the contemporary through his visual imagery, Hsiao Po Chun utilizes his unique artistic language and deep cultural interpretations to continuously lead viewers on a profound journey of intellectual and imaginative exploration.