In this study, titled “Fasting of the Heart and Sitting in Forgetfulness: A Study on Humanistic Images in Ink Paintings,” I aim to explore how real-life experiences influence my ink paintings and their creation. When I work on my paintings, I always try to incorporate the surroundings, my deep care for humanity, as well as the inspiration and insights life has given me. Delving into the world of art theories, I realize that Eastern philosophy plays an essential role in the body and soul of my paintings. In short, this thesis is an analysis of how I carried out the study, internalized what I’d learned during the research, and eventually applied it to my work.

There are five chapters in total. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the background, objectives and scope of my study, as well as the methods applied and terms used. Chapter 2 reviews literature on two important concepts from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, “fasting of the heart” and “sitting in forgetfulness,” and theories related to humanistic images in art and humanistic psychology. Chapter 3 focuses mainly on the media which add variety and distinction to the texture of the paintings and on the symbolic natural elements found in them. There is also an overview of selected Chinese and Western artists. Chapter 4 analyzes in depth the paintings and my philosophy of art production. Humanistic images and interestingly-shaped rocks go hand in hand in my ink paintings; specifically, Taihu stones in the Chinese garden and karesansui in its Japanese counterpart are two of the symbols, among other suitable subjects found in our daily life, that I frequently utilize to express the aforementioned philosophical concepts. Chapter 5 concludes the study with some ruminations and puts forth potential topics for future researchers. Artworks are based on our day-to-day practices and the lessons we learn in life, which is why, aside from the activity of art production itself, I believe it is also of immense importance to educate and cultivate myself as much as possible. To enrich my mind and develop my aesthetic taste, I peruse a lot of books and catalogs/collections in the field. That is why, during my research for the thesis, I continued to look after my inner self and reflect upon the meaning of life. In the end, I reached the conclusion that all beings are connected and that I shall embody in every future work the truth, goodness and beauty of our existence, strengthening the character of my art. We all have limitless potential waiting for us to unlock. Therefore, through diligence and self-encouragement, I present in front of the readers a carefully constructed narrative of the creation of ink paintings.