NPO法人日本國際藝術研究院

NPO法人日本國際藝術研究院

指画翰墨

——林秀鸾的艺术人生

在中华文化的浩瀚星空中，书画艺术始终是最耀眼的明珠之一。它不仅承载着深厚的民族精神，还在历史的长河与时代的波涛中，持续焕发出独特的魅力。在这片艺术沃土上，有一位别具一格的女性艺术家——林秀鸾。她以指代笔、以心为墨，将传统与现代交织、中西艺术融汇，开创了属于自己的艺术天地。她的艺术人生，既是文化传承的深耕之旅，又是创新求变的独特表达。

从科学到艺术：

跨界的创新人生

林秀鸾的艺术之路，从一个非同寻常的起点展开。她出生于马来西亚金马仑高原，成长于新加坡，祖籍福建安溪，大学毕业于南洋大学化学系。这个工科背景的起点，似乎与艺术创作毫不相干。然而，正是这样的背景，使她具备了科学的理性思维和严谨态度，为后来艺术领域的探索奠定了独特的基础。

在科学研究领域，她取得了一定的成就，但艺术的召唤始终萦绕心头。在43年的教育生涯中，她不局限于数理化课程的讲授，还将美术与电脑课程引入课堂，以艺术启迪学生心灵。她始终坚信，教育的真正意义不仅是传授知识，更在于激发想象力和创造力。她在课堂中鼓励学生“用心去感知美、用双手去创造美”，而这一理念也成为她个人艺术生涯的重要内核。

指画艺术：

传统与现代的和鸣

指画艺术是林秀鸾创作生涯的核心。这一技法源自中国古老的艺术传统，创作时无需借助毛笔，只用指尖直接蘸墨作画。指画之美，恰在于手指与画纸的亲密接触，直接体现艺术家的情感与灵性。

林秀鸾有幸师从新加坡指画大师吴在炎，习得指画的技法与精髓。同时，她还在油画大师刘抗和陈文希博士的指导下，汲取西方艺术的表现形式与色彩理念。这种中西合璧的艺术修养，使她的作品既有传统指画的笔韵，又充满现代绘画的张力，形成了鲜明的个人风格。

她的画作涵盖广泛题材，包括山水、花鸟、人物以及抽象艺术。在山水画中，她以中国画的意境为骨，融入现代构图的审美，使作品既有东方的禅意，又富有国际化的视觉冲击力。在指尖起舞的色彩与线条中，大自然的生机与人心的澄澈交相辉映，令人沉醉。

艺术与文化：

传承与推广的不懈努力

作为一位优秀的艺术家，林秀鸾并未将艺术视为个人表达的终点。她更是一位卓越的文化推动者，为艺术的传承与创新付出了巨大心血。她曾任新加坡三一指画会会长长达13年，带领团队举办指画展览、艺术讲座和国际交流活动，使这一古老技法焕发新的生机。同时，她创立新加坡妇女艺术协会并担任会长，致力于女性艺术家的扶持与发展。

此外，林秀鸾还是新加坡美术总会的创会理事之一。她策划并参与了众多国际展览，将新加坡艺术家的作品推广到全球舞台，同时引进国际艺术展览与创作经验，为新加坡艺术注入新活力。她的努力不仅扩大了指画的国际影响力，也在推动多元文化交流中发挥了重要作用。

荣誉加身：

国际舞台上的艺术成就



林秀鸾的艺术才华在国际舞台上也获得了高度认可。2024年，她的指画作品在东京第十七届国际书画大赏展中脱颖而出，其作品以鲜明的韵律感和深远的意境，赢得评审与观众的一致好评。展览期间，她被日本国际艺术研究院特聘为客座教授，以表彰她在艺术创作与文化交流中的杰出贡献。

这些荣誉的背后，是她多年来对艺术执着追求的积淀。她的作品被称为“以指代笔的世界之画”，不仅是一种艺术表现形式的极致，更是一种跨文化交流的桥梁，展现了东西方美学在她的指尖融汇的奇妙力量。

以指为舟：

迈向更广阔的艺术未来

林秀鸾的艺术人生，是一场跨越学科、文化与时空的探寻之旅。从传统到现代、从东方到西方，她用指画这一独特的语言，展现了中华文化的深邃内涵，也开辟了指画在全球艺术舞台上的新路径。她的作品不仅在视觉上令人震撼，更在精神上引发深思，是文化传承与创新的绝佳范例。

未来，她将继续以指画为媒介，深化东西方艺术的对话，用作品讲述中华文化的故事。她相信：“艺术是沟通世界的语言，而指画是我表达自我与文化的方式。”在她的努力下，指画不仅是一种技艺，更是一种超越地域与时代的文化纽带。

后记

林秀鸾的艺术生涯，如一曲贯通古今、融汇东西的文化交响。从化学到艺术，从教育到创作，从本土到国际，她用坚守与创新，开拓了一个独特的艺术世界。东京国际书画大赏展的成功，标志着指画艺术已然跨越区域，成为世界艺术语言的重要组成部分。

未来，林秀鸾仍将继续以指代笔，在艺术海洋中乘风破浪。她的艺术不仅书写了个人的精彩人生，也见证了中华文化在全球化语境中的传承与升华。她的探索，是中华艺术在新时代焕发新生的重要缩影。

（文／王凯：策展人、文学博士、美术评论家、美术教育家、画家）



Finger Painting and Ink—The Artistic Journey of Lin Xiuluan

By Wang Kai

In the vast expanse of Chinese culture, calligraphy and painting shine as some of its brightest jewels. These art forms embody the profound spirit of the nation while continuing to radiate unique charm through the waves of history and tides of modernity. Among the fertile soil of this artistic domain, one exceptional female artist stands out—Lin Xiuluan. With her finger as the brush and her heart as the ink, she weaves together tradition and modernity, fusing Eastern and Western art into a realm uniquely her own. Her artistic journey is both a testament to cultural inheritance and a bold expression of creative innovation.

From Science to Art: A Journey of Cross-Disciplinary Innovation

Lin Xiuluan’s artistic path began from an unconventional starting point. Born in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, raised in Singapore, and with ancestral roots in Anxi, Fujian, she graduated from the Chemistry Department of Nanyang University. This background in science seemed worlds apart from the realm of artistic creation. Yet, it was precisely this foundation that endowed her with the analytical rigor and rational thinking that would later enrich her artistic explorations.

Although she achieved success in scientific research, the call of art was always present. During her 43-year career in education, she expanded beyond teaching mathematics, physics, and chemistry, incorporating art and computer courses into her curriculum to inspire students’ creativity. She firmly believed that education was not only about imparting knowledge but also about awakening imagination and fostering creativity. In her classes, she encouraged students to “perceive beauty with the heart and create beauty with the hands,” a philosophy that became central to her personal artistic journey.

Finger Painting: A Harmony of Tradition and Modernity

At the core of Lin Xiuluan’s artistic career lies the art of finger painting. Originating from ancient Chinese traditions, finger painting involves using fingers instead of brushes, creating a direct connection between the artist’s emotions and the canvas. Its beauty lies in the intimate interaction between fingers and paper, embodying the artist’s spirit and vitality.

Lin Xiuluan apprenticed under Wu Zaiyan, a renowned finger painting master in Singapore, mastering the essence of this traditional craft. Simultaneously, under the guidance of oil painting masters Liu Kang and Dr. Chen Wen Hsi, she absorbed Western artistic concepts of color and composition. This blend of Eastern and Western influences gave rise to her distinctive style, characterized by the expressive rhythm of traditional finger painting and the dynamic tension of modern art.

Her works span a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, flowers, figures, and abstract art. In her landscape paintings, she builds on the ethereal beauty of Chinese artistic tradition while incorporating modern compositional aesthetics. Her creations evoke a sense of harmony where the vibrancy of nature and the serenity of the human spirit intertwine. With every movement of her fingertips, her art brings life to her subjects, captivating viewers with their depth and vitality.

Art and Culture: Unwavering Dedication to Promotion and Preservation

Lin Xiuluan is not only an outstanding artist but also a dedicated cultural advocate. She served as president of the Singapore Trinity Finger Painting Society for 13 years, during which she organized exhibitions, lectures, and international exchanges to revitalize this ancient craft. In addition, she founded the Singapore Women Artists’ Association, where she continues to support the development of female artists.

As a founding council member of the Singapore Art Society, she has spearheaded numerous international exhibitions, promoting the works of Singaporean artists on global platforms while introducing international art to Singapore. Her efforts have not only enhanced the global visibility of finger painting but also played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange across diverse communities.

Honors and Recognition: Artistic Achievements on the International Stage

Lin Xiuluan’s artistic talent has gained widespread recognition on the international stage. In 2024, her finger painting stood out at the 17th Tokyo International Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, earning acclaim for its vivid rhythm and profound depth. During the exhibition, she was appointed Guest Professor by the Japan International Art Institute in recognition of her exceptional contributions to artistic creation and cultural exchange.

These accolades reflect her years of dedication and passion for art. Her work, described as “a universal painting created with finger instead of brush,” transcends the limits of artistic expression, serving as a bridge for cross-cultural dialogue. Through her fingertips, the aesthetics of East and West converge, creating a unique harmony.

Sailing with Fingers: Towards a Broader Artistic Horizon

Lin Xiuluan’s artistic life is a journey that spans disciplines, cultures, and time. From tradition to modernity, from East to West, she uses finger painting as a unique language to present the profound essence of Chinese culture while elevating this traditional art form to the global stage. Her works are not only visually captivating but also spiritually resonant, offering a powerful example of cultural inheritance and innovation.

Looking ahead, Lin Xiuluan will continue using finger painting as a medium to deepen the dialogue between Eastern and Western art. Through her creations, she seeks to tell the story of Chinese culture to the world. She believes that “art is a universal language, and finger painting is my way of expressing both myself and my culture.” Under her efforts, finger painting transcends its role as a traditional craft to become a cultural bridge that unites people across regions and eras.

Postscript

Lin Xiuluan’s artistic journey is like a cultural symphony, seamlessly integrating past and present, East and West. From chemistry to art, from education to creation, from local to global, her unwavering dedication and innovative spirit have forged a unique artistic legacy. Her success at the Tokyo International Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition marks a milestone for finger painting, establishing it as an essential part of the global artistic dialogue.

In the future, Lin Xiuluan will continue to navigate the boundless ocean of art with her fingers as the oars. Her artistic explorations not only celebrate her personal achievements but also bear witness to the preservation and renewal of Chinese culture in a globalized context. Her work is a shining example of how Chinese art can flourish and evolve in the modern era.

艺术家林秀鸾：

林秀鸾：南洋大学化学学士、任教数理化、美术、电脑共43年。艺术师承新加坡先驱画家刘抗油画大师、陈文希博士、 吴在炎指画大师。曾任新加坡三一指画会会长13年、新加坡美术总会创会理事32年、 后任荣誉理事。创立新加坡妇女艺术协会并任会长至今20年。现在，日本国际艺术研究院客座教授。