【新唐人北京时间2019年11月06日讯】什么叫艺术？不同的理解就会产生不同的艺术实践和品评。简单比喻：蛆蝇在粪土中窜索玩味无穷；龟兔仅在平地上比快慢；雄鹰以搏击长空为快；蛟龙以蹈海与穷变为能；神佛以眷顾苍生万物而乐此不疲。
随着宇宙成住坏灭的大规律，神留给人类的传统道德在艺术创作中几乎丧失殆尽。艺术是人类社会的风向标和温度计，随着人类道德的低下，艺术也随其变异，败落再败落，直至目前的艺术界成为一片荒野、垃圾遍地，仅存的也只不过那点有限的技巧而已。当然技巧是非常非常重要的，没有技巧，无从谈艺术。但通观目前全世界所有的美术大赛，查遍当今所有的所谓美术精品画册，哪有几件内涵深刻、形式完美、称得起是严肃神圣的真正创作呢？
从大纪元发表的《魔鬼在统治着我们的世界》一书，大家可以看到是多么令人惊心动魄——魔鬼掏空了人们的正念、变异了人类的审美趣味、抑制了艺术家的智慧与灵性！现代意识的狂潮恶沙埋没了艺海中那些真正有善念、有才华和有理想的艺术家，现代人类艺术的败坏，已远远超过任何一个人类文明因败坏而被销毁的时期；否极泰来，就在这人类文明即将被毁灭的危险时刻，无量慈悲和万能的创世主早已来到人间传法。他在正整个宇宙法的同时，更眷顾着人间美术这一块的有缘人，他让新唐人电视台这个面向全世界的媒体，以全世界人物写实油画大赛的形式，将美术界真正的菁英找出来；一方面是利用这个国际平台展示画家的才华；另一方面又通过大家的共同努力，搭起一个复兴人类真正艺术并创造崭新辉煌、使艺术走上一条永生不灭昌盛繁荣之路的桥梁。在这个艺风日下的时代，能够认同本大赛的理念报名参赛者，已经很难得了；能入围得奖就更加了不起。别小看这一行为，因为宇宙在正法，大穹在重组，人类在归正，一般人还看不到这个不可逆转的大趋势，你们却已走在了最前列，你们的名字将永远铭刻在人类文明的艺术史上。
在这次第五届大赛中，有来自46个国家的258位画家提交402件作品，其中88位画家的104件作品入围。
我代表评委会在感谢新唐人为举办本次大赛所作努力的同时，也为在座的和所有参赛的画家感到高兴并致以祝贺！当然在某种程度上也有些遗憾，就是有些技法很好画派也正的画家，由于对本大赛的要求尚不够明确，这次没能拿到大奖；不过值得欣慰的是：他们和大家一样，已经知道什么是人应有的艺术，走在了艺术回归正路的大道上，也将会有辉煌的成就。因为我们和创世主同在， 将是人类真正艺术的主力军，引领整个人类的艺术沿着正路发展与前进。
创世主告诫我们：“神传给人艺术的目地是为了能使人表达人类所崇尚的善与美”，又说：“在你们的作品中也要表现美好、表现正、表现纯、表现善、表现光明。” 还说：“神在庇护着人类，人要做好就会有善果。”
这里我要给大家透露一个很高的天机：我们都是带着崇高的使命从最美好的天国来兑现誓约的；今天能够走到这里来的画家，都是有很大缘分的，有人想来也会因为各种干扰和原因来不了。 再一个天机：人的元神是不灭的，由于在你生生世世的轮回转生中封尘太厚，忘掉了自己的记忆，今天我们要沿着艺术创作的正路，越做越好，走回美好的家园。
如前所述，艺术分不同的层次，不同的人格、不同的境界就会对艺术有不同的理解。艺术是一个艺术家内心世界的外现，也就是说，艺术作品表现的就是艺术家本人。那麽要想创作出创世主希望的那样美好的艺术，是不是得将自己的内心世界变好？因为鸡肠小肚是生不出凤凰来的，只有将自己变成凤凰才能生出凤凰。这个改变与洗刷自己的过程，不断接近宇宙特性不断开智开慧的升华过程，是不是不修道已在道中的过程？有诗曰：“慧流是净洗，大师步天梯。”实际就是不断去除人间不良观念、不知不觉回到自己美好天国世界的过程。
艺术是人类社会上升与下滑的润滑剂和加速器，艺术家是人类灵魂的工程师。而宇宙中有不失不得善恶有报的理，在创作一系列好作品、对人类社会起好作用的同时，是不是就积了大德？德多大，所享受到的荣耀就会有多大，就会成为宇宙中不同层次的生命。即使有的画家做的不尽完美，也会付出多少得到多少，获得应有的福份，至少不至于随着败坏了的社会风气堕落，在糊里糊涂中创作那些无聊的作品危害人类而造业，那对生命的未来可是极其悲惨的啊！这样看来，在创造人间艺术辉煌的同时，不就是在铺就生命永远美好的路？
新唐人电视台举办的全世界人物写实油画大赛确实起到了互相交流提高的作用。如有一位画家虽未接受美术学院的教育，但在参加本项大赛的过程中虚心学习，在名家的专业指导之下，不断提高，潜心创作，连续两届获得金奖；在2014年获得了本项大赛最高奖项的一位画家，在中国最权威的中央美术学院附中部学了四年，大学部学了五年，可是他说这九年中在创作上什么也没学到，而是在参加本大赛的过程中学会了创作。 还有一位其作品曾在世界各地很多博物馆展出、并有多件作品被收藏的现代派画家，他用写实技法创作了一幅表达现代变异观念的作品来参赛，但是没有获奖。经过交流，他心悦诚服的改变了观念，并立起大拇指说：“你们办这样大赛的举动太伟大了！理念太好了！我也要回归传统，我下一个展览的名称就改为“回归”。”他特意买了两本大赛的画册，说是要放到他的画展上，并请我提供建议。我说：“你是真正的艺术家！ ”
未来的社会将以什么样的标准为艺术和艺术家定位，这是显而易见，不容置疑的了。
很多艺术家对本大赛有很多赞美的反馈意见，他们非常认同大赛的理念。上届大赛有一位画家指着大赛的前言说，他已非常认真的读过四遍了，还想再读；有人很有体会的说：新唐人举办的全世界人物写实油画大赛，就是在黑夜艺海航行中的灯塔，把那些有理想的画家聚集了起来；也有的人表示是在参加该大赛的过程中，大赛的理念拨亮了他的心灯。
以下以一首小诗与大家在创作上交流。
大艺
技法必精纯
大艺须好人
志通天
不做庸匠做美神
修得纯正光明慈悲心
思维洪阔高远深
尽精微至广大
招无尽
美奇新
醍醐灌顶开胸襟
观之融醉魂重塑
高迈超绝皆天品
再写几句与那些根基特别好，缘分特别大的画家们共勉。
回家
修正法慧泉洞开
心纯美天品神光
洒金光济世救人
载誉归天庭圣苍
惜善缘，有机会聚在一起，就很想把心底里的话掏给大家，让我们共同努力，创作出更多更美的传世精品。
谢谢大家！
张昆仑
参赛作品：
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Words from Chief Judge
Cherishing Predestined Relationships
Different understandings of art history lead to different forms of artistic expression, as well as interpretation and evaluation of what makes genuine fine art. A simple metaphor to describe this would be: A fly finds pleasure merely playing in waste; the tortoise and hare can only race on land while the eagle has free rein in the sky; the dragon is capable of turning the sea; and the caregiving of all living things is the eternal gratification of Gods and Buddhas.
Following the Universe’s law of creation, stasis, degeneration, and destruction, the traditional moral values that God left for humanity have, in the field of artistic creation, as well as in society at large,been all but lost. Art has always served as the weather vane and thermometer of human society. As human morality has declined, art has mutated along with it.
In the march of history, and the steady decline in the chaotic tangle of human depravity, the undercurrent of human artistic expression has become what it is. All that is left from the previous eras of artistic glory are a few of the original techniques.
Without the artistic techniques created and perfected by generations of masters of the arts, there would be no genuine art to speak of. But looking at the fine art created today, how many pieces can be found that are both profound in content and meaning as well as perfect in technique and form? How many can be regarded as true, sacred artistic creations?
In the book, “The Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World", published by The Epoch Times, there is a most frightening reality spelled out. The book explains how communism and the evil specter driving it have mutated the aesthetic taste of human beings and suppressed the wisdom and spirituality of artists, as well as of society at large.
Authentic artists are truly good-minded, yet they have been swept up by the current of modern consciousness and have lost the will to create true masterpieces with the upright moral inspiration and techniques that once existed. The degeneration of art, as well as the moral climate in general, far exceeds that of any other period of time throughout the history of human civilization.
However, trends, whether material or ethereal, tend to reverse when reaching the extreme. In these times when humankind dances with destruction, Buddhas, Daos, and Gods are ultimately in control and human life is in their hands. It is they who provide opportunities for mankind to alter its course and save themselves from destruction.
The incomparably compassionate Creator has already come to the world to spread the law of universe. While he is rectifying the law of universe, he is also caring for the predestined people in the field of the arts.
In view of that understanding, NTD Television, a global multi language broadcasting company, has taken the initiative to invite exceptional oil painters from all over the world to compete in their realistic oil painting competition.
The intent of this competition is to inspire artists to produce works of exceptional quality in both technique and content. The ultimate outcome is the creating of a bridge, to a path of return to higher moral values and eternal prosperity for humankind, expressed through the medium of oil painting.
This competition is an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate your talent to a wide audience while helping forge the path back to true, authentic fine art as developed and created by the great Masters of the past.
To identify with the goal of this contest is truly remarkable in this era of declined morals and degenerate art. To enter your work and be selected as a finalist is a magnificent achievement for an artist seeking to perfect their technique and show their work on an international stage. The NTD international figure competition, and the inspiration behind it, are a significant contribution in providing humanity with a platform to regain its upright moral footing, both in the arts and society.
NTD is hosting this art competition in order to forge a path back to truly fine art. NTD is encouraging all the participants to produce works that are truly inspiring. Not only in technique, but in content that is in concert with traditional concepts of human life and its relationship with the divine.
By participating in this endeavour, you are part of a groundbreaking effort to pave a path for humankind to return to the heavenly principles of truth, compassion, and endurance that have repeatedly triumphed over the decay of moral values and sustained the course of human history to this day. Being able to accept this challenge is, in itself, a truly righteous act.
This is the fifth NTD figure painting competition. From 258 contestants from 46 countries, 402 works of art were entered. Of those, 88 contestants and 104 artistic works made it past the qualifying round.
I want to thank NTD Television for hosting the competition and I want to thank and congratulate the painters who have submitted their work. I regret that some of you were not selected as finalists in the competition; the good news is, you have already embarked on the road of returning art to its righteous path.
I look forward to your winnings in the next and future competitions.
I firmly believe that you will make brilliant achievements, because you are committed to creating true fine art. As artists with a passion for inspiring humanity towards goodness in your works, you will be helping NTD bring back the true purpose of humanity’s fine art tradition.
The Creator has told us: “The reason Gods passed the arts on to human beings was to enable humans to express the goodness and beauty that mankind upholds”, as well as “in your artwork you should display what’s beautiful, what’s upright, what’s pure, what’s good, and what’s bright and positive.”, and “Gods are protecting mankind, and when human beings do good things, it will result in good things for them.”
Here, I will disclose a great heavenly secret. The painters who are able to come here today have great predestined relationships. Some people want to come, but are unable to due to various disturbances and reasons. We all come from the most beautiful heaven carrying our missions. Another heavenly secret – a person’s primordial spirit does not perish. It’s only that in your life’s numerous reincarnations, the dust has been layered on too thick, and you have forgotten your own memories. Today we have to follow the righteous path of artistic creation and through continuing to do good things, return to our old home.
Within art there are different levels, different personalities, and different realms, which compose different understandings of art. Art is the outward expression of an artist’s inner world.
If you want to create a magnificent piece of art, you have to beautify your inner world. As the saying goes, chicken innards can’t give birth to a phoenix. Only by becoming a phoenix can you give birth to one. The process of cleansing oneself is one of constantly assimilating to the higher characteristics of the universe. It is a continuous process of wisdom and enlightenment. It is synonymous with being “in the Tao without cultivating the Tao."
A poem states: “The flow of wisdom is one of purification. The master climbs the ladder to heaven.”
In fact, it is the process of continuously removing the bad thoughts of human beings, and returning to one’s original heavenly home. At the same time, there is the law of “no loss, no gain” and “good is rewarded and evil is punished” in the universe. Some people say that art is the lubricant and accelerator for the rise and fall of society. The artist is the engineer of the human soul. When you create a series of good works and play a good role in human society, isn’t this a great virtue? One’s virtue is as high as one’s character. However much virtue you accumulate is how much glory you will enjoy. Lives in the universe have hierarchies, and you will be gods at different levels. Even if some painters are not satisfied with their work, they will gain however much they put in. Their virtue will be converted into blessings, such as becoming a big official or making a fortune, in the next life. At the very least, you will not run with the corrupted social atmosphere by creating tasteless works that endanger humans and create karma. From this perspective, aren’t you not only creating a glorious period for human art, but also paving the way for your life’s eternal happiness?
As to what kind of standards the future world will set for art and for artists, there is already zero doubt. Moreover, the worldwide realistic oil painting competition held by NTD Television has indeed played the role of sparking mutual dialogue and improvement.
For example, one artist never attended a fine arts academy, but won the gold prize for two consecutive competitions. Another painter said that he attended the authoritative Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, with four years in the auxiliary department and five years in the university department. However, he didn’t learn anything about artistic creation, which he learned in the process of participating in this competition. He won the competition’s highest award in 2014. The awarding of the competition is fair by principle, because the exhibitions are held openly, and the competition albums are preserved to be gauged at any time. As another example, there was an artist whose works have been exhibited in art museums around the world, and many of his works have been collected. As he entered our competition as a amous artist using realism techniques to express deviated modern notions, we didn’t give him an award. After communicating with him, he changed his mind with great conviction. He said while holding a thumbs up, “Your motive for holding this competition is so great! The philosophy is excellent!” He also wanted to return to tradition. The name of his next solo exhibition was changed to “return", and he also bought two lbums from the competition which he said he would place in his exhibition. He asked me to say a few words to him. I said, “You are a true artist!"
Many artists have given a lot of positive feedback. They very much agree with the philosophy of the competition. In the previous competition, a painter pointed to the foreword of the competition, saying that he had already carefully read it four times, but still wants to read it. Some people with strong experiences said that New Tang Dynasty’s worldwide realistic oil painting competition is like a lighthouse, in the sea of the night, gathering artists with similar ideals; others have said that in the process of participating in the contest, the light in their hearts brightened.
Below are two poems on the topic of artistic creation to share with everyone.
Great Art Techniques must be refined and pure Great art needs good people. A drive reaching heaven Don’t be an ordinary artisan, be a great god.
Cultivate oneself to be pure and upright, optimistic and compassionate From the minuscule to the vast Broad thoughts reaching high, far, and deep Inexhaustible, Beautiful, wondrous, and new Anointing the head with the finest cream, the opening of hearts and aspirations Once viewed, drunk in harmony, and a soul reconstructed Exuberant and excelling, all heavenly works
Here’s a few more lines to share with those with exceptionally good inborn quality and predestined relationships.
Returning Home
Righteous Cultivation, the springs and caves of wisdom opened A pure and beautiful heart, heavenly works and divine light Scattering golden light saving the world’s people Carrying acclaim back to the heavenly celestial paradise.
Since I cherish our predestined relationship to be with each other, I wanted to share with everyone words from the bottom of my heart. Let’s work together to create even more beautiful everlasting fine art!
Thank you all!
Kunlun Zhang
Chief Judge
NTD Television International Figure Painting Competition
（责任编辑：张超）
