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Oriental Painting
Sumi-E - Zen brush painting
This is the beautiful Zentsuji temple at sunrise on
Shikoku Island where Gerard lived nearby in 2002 Contents
1 What is Sumie
2 Gerard Menzels' exhibitions
3 Zen culture and Sumie
4 Picture Gallery
5 See Touring Schools on Home Page
With Gerard Menzel artist
Commissions - Seminars - Workshops - School tours -Private Classes
Zen meditation brush painting is one of the arts, which paves the way for self-realization through training of the spirit and mind. Sumi means ink and E is picture. It was bought to Japan from China by the Zen Buddhist monks Easai and Dogen who journeyed there in the 12th and 13th centuries. The origins of brush painting lay in Chinese calligraphy and the Taoist scholars and intellectuals used writing as a source of spiritual development.
It is fun and simple to learn the basic steps then it is undertaken by the serious student as a daily ritual to centre the mind, rid one of distraction and develop spiritual calm. Black ink is robustly painted on rice paper in a spontaneous way as the feelings guide the brush. Sumie is very free and informal and leads to better
visualization abilities, an appreciation of nature and a quiet tranquil space where the spirit can dwell. The act of painting is meditative Zen training. Students develop a keen interest in Zen philosophy available through the writings of the ancient masters.
The few materials are a brush, ink stone (suzuri) Sumi ink stick, rice paper, and water. The essential form of a flower, bird, landscape or person is captured in the moment as an expression of Zen.
Zen teaches us that the life force permeates every part of the universe and that everything is alive.... if we can only awaken ourselves to that state of illumination. The sea moves, the steady rock breathes, birds colour the sky and our consciousness makes everything vividly awake. Sumie is the attempt to capture momentarily the essence of living nature.
A Zen monk asked a student "What is moving the wind or the flag on the flagpole. The wind said the student. No said the master neither are moving. It is your mind that is in motion."
Pic. Hotei God of Happiness by Gerard
Gerard Menzel; Artist
Gerard has been the student of the renown Andre Sollier since 1985 one of the few western Sumie masters and author of books on Kyudo and Sumie. He has exhibited on 8 occasions and taught school children and adults at art society's and colleges. He has received grants from the NAVA, National Assoc. Visual Artists, and the SA Education dept CARCLEW, thrice. His studio is by the sea in Adelaide South Australia.
1981 Tour of Asia study of Tai Chi and Taoism Melbourne
1985 Student of Andre Sollier Melb. C.A.E Sumie artist/author.
1987 Solo exhibitions in Wadenswil and Zurich Switzerland
1988 Solo Exhibition in the Shiatsu centre Adelaide
1989 Sumie the art of meditation, exhibition Indian Dance studio Adelaide
1990 Combined writers and artist exhibition M.A.C. space Adelaide
1991 Watermarks Exhibition M.A.C. space Adelaide and Kapunda Gallery
1992 The sound of the wind, Exhibition the Prospect Gallery Adelaide
1993 Sunya...Empty space, Exhibition at the Lotus Sumie Gallery Adelaide
1993 A Retrospective Sumie Adelaide lending Library
1994 Serenity is not a Raging bull exhibition Lotus studio " "
1995 Sumie and Haiku Lotus studio Lotus Studio Adelaide
1998 Sumie Meanderings Golden light studio Adelaide
Community Art , Awards and Grants
1988 school touring
NAVA award 1992,
artist in Schools grant 1994, 1997 Carclew,
S.A Ed Dept. Touring Schools grant state of Play 1997
Workshop Australia Japan Assoc 1993 1995, member Australia Japan Assoc
Workhops given Asia education Foundation 1994 SA, 2000 Vic
Instructor Workers education foundation 1992-1997 From
2000 Gerard worked and traveled in China, Korea and Japan
Sunyavada - The Philosophy of Zen Sumie … see articles section
workshop in Adelaide Sth Australia
Zen Culture and Sumie
Sumie is one of the many Zen arts. Zen is a way of life rather than merely a religion or philosophy. It has its roots in Buddhism but is distinctly Japanese. Its aim is to release one from the illusion of self and the suffering which accompanies the illusory world vision of pleasure/pain, self/other, right/wrong, today/yesterday, light/darkness, gain/loss. Enlightenment is the
realization of the essential unity of the world. Everything is both individual yet united to the great void by its very essence. The aim is to open oneself to a total oneness with the universe which transcends duality, comparison, and personal striving for something outside the self. That self or Buddha nature is perfect and Zen opens the way to self-realisation within the framework of everyday living. Zen is the art of discovering the true self.
Sumie is one of the Zen arts which paves the way for self-realisation through training in peace of mind. Sumi means ink and E is picture. It was bought to Japan from China by the Zen Buddhist monks Easai and Dogen who journeyed there in the 12th and 13th centuries. The origins of brush painting lay in Chinese calligraphy and the Taoist scholars and intellectuals used writing as a source of spiritual development.
The lofty discipline of the Taoists was given yet another importance as the Zen priests quickly realised that the art of spontaneity could free people of their egos. Sumie engendered concentration and meditation as a discipline. The painter developed a high attentiveness to nature and its flow. Each picture reflected the 'feeling and mood of the artist' rather than strict reflections of the exact structure and shape of a subject. The artist was given freedom within the discipline of black ink and white rice paper. A rich tone was achieved at with the ever greying of the ink. The artist suggested a subject painted boldly with a few brush strokes on rice paper and allows the observer to discover its essence.
Zen teaches us that the life force permeates every part of the universe and that everything is alive.... if we can only awaken ourselves to that state of illumination.
The sea moves, the rock steady and firm breathes, birds colour the sky and our consciousness makes everything vividly awake.
A Zen monk asked a student "What is moving the wind or the flag on the flagpole. The wind said the student. No said the master neither are moving. It is your mind that is in motion."
Even the still pond is alive as much as the humming of the bee on the water lily. The Sumie artist depicts life in a painting with the knowledge that at the very heart of everything Tao (the nameless) exists. 'That force of nature' expands and grows and still grows further in decay. All is alive in a process of transformation and change.
That is the only certainty from moment to moment. Zen is the awareness of that truth which one carries in ones' consciousness each moment. That vital essence in the spontaneity of a few brush strokes is the 'way of the Zen brush painter'. Everything is painted in the simplest way without destroying its vital character. That pure essence is felt by the artist and conveyed on paper courageous in the quickest possible undiluted, uninhibited way. The mind is by-passed altogether.
That same courage of the samurai swordsman is reflected in the flash of ink when the artist paints. The mind is alive yet tranquil, and the subject is out there in nature while at all times 'here now inside the inner workings of the artist' as he paints from sentiment and the moving of the soul. Zen is the art of simplicity of form and peace of mind.
In other Zen arts one can see similar goals in training. For example in Kyudo the concept of not striving for a specific end is paramount. In Kyudo or archery it is not necessary for one to hit the target at all in the preliminary stages of the art although one aims there. The attitude of the archer, the posture and breath are more important. In Aikido it is stressed that there is no opponent except ones' self although this is a martial art where players attack from all angles in training. Here are similar cases of not striving for a goal. The founder of Aikido stated, the essence is to move in unity of breath with the universe and see many opponents as one.
Here again we see the emphases on breath as in Zazen or sitting meditation where the breath is observed from moment to moment. In Sumie the artist relaxes the chest and belly to achieve a deep and easy breath. Then the mind is calm and the stroke fluid. Similarly in all the arts discipline and a deep respect for ones' teacher is common to all the Zen arts.
All of the arts in Japan provide an atmosphere for the participant to find poise and be contemplative as in the Tea ceremony, bonsai, be spontaneous as in the training in Aikido. One strives to act in unity with nature when a Zen artist depicts a chrysanthemum, and be aesthetically creative like the flower arranging of Ikebana. Most of all the Zen arts are both pleasing to the observer and the participant........... for there lay unity and balance.
Left; Gerard working with Pedare School students in 2000 Showcase Asia week
Picture Gallery ; For sales contact gmenzel@hotmail.com
Pictures can be commissioned
cards produced
Prints of the paintings bought A4 or A3
The following information is suitable for school
teachers seeking to teach Japanese studies
Warriors and
Artists 
Zen meditation brush painting is one
of the arts which paves the way for self realization through training
of the spirit and mind. Sumi means ink and E is picture. It was
bought to Japan from China by the Zen Buddhist monks Easai and Dogen
who journeyed there in the 12th and 13th centuries. The origins of
brush painting lay in Chinese calligraphy and the Taoist scholars and
intellectuals used writing as a source of spiritual development.
It is fun and simple to learn the
basic steps then it is undertaken by the serious student as a daily
ritual to centre the mind, rid one of distraction and develop
spiritual calm. Black ink is robustly painted on rice paper in a
spontaneous way as the feelings guide the brush. Sumie is very
free and informal and leads to better visualization abilities, an
appreciation of nature and a quiet tranquil space where the spirit can
dwell. The act of painting is Zen training and students develop a keen
interest in Zen philosophy available through the writings of the
masters.
The few materials are a brush, ink
stone (suzuri) Sumi ink stick, rice paper, and water. The essential
form of a flower, bird, landscape or person is captured in the moment
as an expression of Zen.
Zen teaches us that the life force
permeates every part of the universe and that everything is alive....
if we can only awaken ourselves to that state of illumination. The sea
moves, the steady rock breathes, birds colour the sky and our
consciousness makes everything vividly awake.
A Zen monk asked a student "What is moving
the wind or the flag on the flagpole. The wind said the student. No
said the master neither are moving. It is your mind that is in
motion."
Class handout
Sumie, Zen and the Samurai Tradition
Many of the martial artists of Japan involved
themselves in Zen art as a means to train the mind and calm the
spirit. The art provided also a philosophy which suited their
ephemeral and uncertain life style as warriors. Death and life
became one in the Zen scheme of things. This attitude paved the way
for fearlessness and a acute discipline in their work as warriors.
In Japan it was acceptable to be tough as well as cultured. The
arts and Budo led a symbiotic relationship.
Zen
meditation brush painting is one of the arts which paves the way for
self realization through training of the spirit and mind. Sumi
means ink and E is picture. It was bought to Japan from China by
the Zen Buddhist monks Easai and Dogen who journeyed there in the
12th and 13th centuries.
The origins of brush painting lay
in Chinese calligraphy and the Taoist scholars and intellectuals
used writing as a source of spiritual development.
Zen teaches us that the life force
permeates every part of the universe and that everything is
alive.... if we can only awaken ourselves to that state of
illumination. The sea moves, the steady rock breathes, birds colour
the sky and our consciousness makes everything vividly awake.
A Zen monk asked a student "What
is moving the wind or the flag on the flagpole. The wind said the
student. No said the master neither are moving. It is your mind
that is in motion."
In other Zen arts one can see
similar goals in training. For example in Kyudo the concept of not
striving for a specific end is paramount. In Kyudo or archery it is
not necessary for one to hit the target at all in the preliminary
stages of the art although one aims there. The attitude of the
archer, the posture and breath are more important. In Aikido it is
stressed that there is no opponent except ones' self although this
is a martial art where players attack from all angles in training.
Here are similar cases of not striving for a goal.
The
founder of Aikido stated, the essence is to move in unity of breath
with the universe and see many opponents as one. Here again we see
the emphases on breath as in Zazen or sitting meditation where the
breath is observed from moment to moment. In Sumie the artist
relaxes the chest and belly to achieve a deep and easy breath. Then
the mind is calm and the strokes fluid. Similarly in all the arts
discipline and a deep respect for ones' teacher is common to all the
Zen arts.
All of the arts from Japan provide an atmosphere for the participant
to find poise and be contemplative as in Haiku poetry and Sumie. One
strives to act in unity with nature when a Zen artist depicts a
chrysanthemum, and the Haiku poet is aesthetically colourful and
simultaneously restrained. Most of all the Zen arts rely on and are
both pleasing to the observer and the participant.......... for Zen
arts create equanimity of mind.
Sumie is Zen Brush painting notable for its minimalist bold lines
and peaceful monochrome nuances painting natures beauty on white
rice paper.
Haiku poetry uses a 17 syllable structure to describe the feeling of
the moment. Both arts are deliberately reserved and suggest the
pure essentials.
Haiku and Haiga / Poems and Pictures
Renga is a style of painting in Sumie. It accompanies a poem in order
to depict visually the essence of the poem. Renga can be humour, or
sad or anything which makes the poem more meaningful.
Haiku is a three line, 17 syllable poem (5-7-5 generally) which was
made famous by Matsuo Basho in the 1600's. Both sumie and haiku have
the similar economy of action and effort. They are a spontaneous,
outpouring of energy. Haiku depicts the present and the past
interspersed, the immediate and the immortal, the concrete and the
unexpected.
The themes are everyday ....here and now, words are used sparingly,
and the overall mental picture is suggested rather than described
which is very Zen in character.
"Haiku is a condensed poem condensing simple beauty of everyday life.
There is no time to talk about something only time to present
something. Haiku is immediate, about the here and now - as in Zen" A.
Sollier
The origin of the Haiku is in the 12th century Waka which had 31
syllables which continued to be written in the 15 century under the
name of Renga (Haikai no Renga). It was usually composed by a group
of people in a game like way.
Haiga
Haiga is the paintings
pictorial counterpart, a spontaneous conception an impromptu
expression related or not to the haiku impact. Haiga or haiku
paintings are not presumed to be finished works of art. They reinforce
and supplement the impression made by the haiku. Yet they may stand
alone as pictures in their own right ...A Sollier
Task
Draw a
Picture, a very simple one if possible and depict the Zen style.
Make it
have lots of space – flow with feeling – be suggestive – find the
essence of an object and have soul – complement it with a Haiku –
use black and white only or 1 extra colour if necessary.
Write a
haiku poem related to one Japanese art
Example; archery or tea ceremony
Present your poem to your
group in class discussion and select one to present to the class
overall.
homework
How is nature and
art combined in Japanese art?
What role does
emptiness play
How art is defined
and viewed and made ? Do artists differ in the west ?
How has Zen
affected art in Japan?
Handout
Haiku
A flower of yugao
Half-open
With deep plaits.
* yugao: in
Japan, people love these flowers
asagao (face in the
morning), morning glory
hirugao (face in
the daytime), convolvulus
yugao (face in the
evening), bottle gourd
Flowers of morning
glory.
The sky above this
street
Begins to overcast.
Petals of
chrysanthemum
Curve in their
whiteness
Under the moon.
In a day of
chrysanthemums
I shake and comb my
wet hair
Letting the drops
fall.
In the current of
spring tide
A tuft of algae
passes
Like an arrow.
A folded fan of
autumn is inserted
In the obi hard
like a board.
* obi: Japanese
belt. The obi of the kimono for women is wide and hard.
Echoes of a
hototogisu's voice.
They dominate the
mountain at will.
When he leans over
the side of the boat
And picks water
sweet chestnuts,
The marsh smells as
if boiled.
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