The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 15: Chapter 5: The Life of a Painter Is from 15 US Dollars to 500 US Dollars_2

A sketch is not an oil painting, and five hundred dollars is not a low price. Like the great modern painter and revolutionary of East Asia, Mr. Li Tiefu, whose sketches auctioned at Christie’s hover around two thousand dollars.

In the European oil painting circle.

Artworks from all over East Asia and South Asia are overall on an upward trend.

Hidden barriers still exist, albeit subtly.

Dongxia is now the world’s second-largest art investment market, and countries like Japan started with oil painting relatively early.

Overall, other countries get comparatively less attention.

There are even some judges of international oil painting awards who aren’t particularly knowledgeable about or interested in the development of Eastern oil paintings.

Sometimes.

Suddenly seeing the work of an Eastern painter, they are taken aback and amazed at how well it is done, even forming a completely independent aesthetic style.

Such ”amazement,” in a way, might also be tinged with arrogance.

Even this way of comparing artists’ levels based on the price of their work is inherently unfair.

After all, it’s not the nineteenth century anymore. No one in the art world dares to blatantly play the race discrimination card, but they will give you a cold shoulder, isolate you, and tell you with veiled polite faces that art deserts like yours aren’t worthy of producing great painters.

Even considering that the buyer was particularly fond of it, selling a sketch for five hundred dollars is something to be proud of.

”From fifteen dollars to five hundred dollars, I took sixty years to bridge this gap, to overcome the stereotypical biases foreign people hold against Eastern artists.”

The old man looked at his grandson, his tone melancholic.

”I’m very happy today, not just because you painted a piece that I might even call a masterpiece, but because you held onto your integrity in the face of temptation, which is more important than the former.”

”I know there are many foreign artists nowadays who indulge in all kinds of vices, mix with various gangs, and take pride in it, as if that is what makes them a true ’Artist.’”

Not all painters are moral gentlemen; in the industry of emerging artists, many have chaotic personal lives. They seek inspiration under the guise of unrestrained self-indulgence.

Some people are either high on drugs or on their way to getting high, so having affairs with sex workers isn’t even considered a scandal. It’s commonplace to parade around with yacht girls, and the paparazzi are too lazy to report it. What’s the big deal if creative types are a bit flamboyant?

Nietzsche, Flaubert, those literary giants were also syphilis sufferers who changed girlfriends like changing pants.

The orthodox painting circle might be cleaner, but the craziness level of many creative painters who rose from street spray painting and gained millions of subscribers on YouTube and Instagram is on par with gangsta rappers who get shot every few days.

”I don’t judge them, but I don’t want you to become one of them. For the Gu family, learning how to be a person is more important than learning art. If you can’t be a good person, you don’t deserve to paint, and you’ll bring shame to your ancestors.”

”More than making a fortune, I hope you have health, both mental and physical, and understand to be kind and a righteous person.”

Old Gu slightly turned his head.

”Especially in our place. Some brainwashed young people even think that the law restricts them, and in a chaotic society, they can do anything.”

”They think they can have money, guns, and women, be kings, drink champagne, earn US dollars, do big business, and not care about being kind. Being an evil godfather is better than being insignificant, and how thrilling it is to decide life and death in one word. Only after being sold out do they realize it’s not like that. Even if they sell their souls to evil, they are still just people whose life and death others decide with a word; they are just slaves drained by evil. Do you think you could become a prince or general if you went back in time? Don’t kid yourself; if you went back, you’d only become a skeleton.”

Gu Tongxiang spoke heavy words, but this is Myanmar, not a developed region with perfect law enforcement and drug control.

The northern part of Myanmar is better known as the Golden Triangle, where getting heroin is easier than getting flour.

Organized crime, drugs, artifacts smuggling... getting involved in these things ruins your life.

Gu Tongxiang watched his grandson Gu Weijing’s face until the young man solemnly nodded.

Only then did the old man continue: ”You already have everything needed to become a painter, so I decided to purchase your first painting, just like my father did. Your talent is better than mine, your family background is better, and your artistic environment is much better. Your lowest point naturally should be higher than my highest point.”

”I hope you remember today’s five hundred dollars, do good deeds, and stay on the right path. In sixty years, when I’m no longer here, I hope you proudly tell your grandson that you turned this five hundred dollars into how much wealth.”

Gu Weijing responded directly because a new prompt appeared before him.

[Balance credited: 367.50 dollars]

[Experience Exchange Panel Activated!]

[Earned Extra Points: 0]

[Note: Money spent on social welfare activities purely for charity will be automatically converted at a rate of ten dollars per point.]

”By the way, don’t worry too much about Brother Hao and his crew. On my way back, I thought about it. Coincidentally, the Myanmar government has an international cooperation ’Shwedagon Pagoda Fresco Restoration (Monument Mural Restoration)’ master project coming up in the next few weeks. Mainly centered in Yangon and Bagan, it involves some work in cultural heritage protection, aiming to improve Yangon’s international image. They invited me. You’re skilled; I’ll leverage my old connections to get your name in.

Even though the police in Myanmar are ineffective, Brother Hao and his people are still gangsters. They can’t trouble you much when you’re part of a government international project. In a year, when you go to college, you won’t be staying in Yangon, and things will get much better.”

”Shwedagon Pagoda? Isn’t that the Shwedagon Pagoda? Can I really do that?”

This time, it was Gu Weijing who was surprised.

Shwedagon Pagoda is known as Shwedagon Pagoda in English, and it’s the most important historical site and touring icon in Yangon and all of Myanmar.

Not only does it support the tourism industry of the whole of Myanmar, but it’s also one of the most important Buddhist sites in Southeast Asia.

The Great Golden Pagoda is a national symbol of Myanmar, equivalent to how the Great Wall is to Dongxia, the Statue of Liberty is to the United States, and the Pyramids are to Egypt.

”Of course, you’re not capable. What are you thinking? It’s not like they’re asking you to lead the restoration. Just be satisfied with being able to serve tea and carry ladders for those masters.”

”And it’s not just the Great Golden Pagoda; there are many auxiliary mural works and related buildings around, and various styles of temples too.”

Gu Tongxiang puffed his beard, looking at Gu Weijing’s astonished look, secretly feeling proud.

Even participating in such a project as a student is an extremely great opportunity.

Not to mention that being in close contact with and learning from those genuine masters is a dream for every young painter. Just having your name associated with such an international project is already a strong point on your resume.

When applying to internationally renowned art schools for college, it would be an excellent bonus, as foreign universities highly value practical experience in this field.

”Remember, be smart then, work more, talk less. The truly famous art masters in the world tend to have eccentric tempers. I’m just a small fry there. Don’t expect anyone to appreciate you, but upsetting someone could mean trouble for you and me both.”