Ai Qun: Under the Same Moon. Traditional Chinese Ink Painting

Name: Ai Qun: Under the Same Moon. Traditional Chinese Ink Painting
Start: 2026-09-19T09:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-19T19:00:00+02:00
Location: Botanischer Garten

Saturday 19 September · 09:00Botanischer Garten · oberoesterreich

What's it about?

Khoan Tran alias Ai Qun: Under the Same Moon Traditional Chinese Ink Painting Midissage: FRI 25.09., 6:00 PM – on the day of the Chinese Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) Exhibition: SAT 19.09. to SUN 04.10. in the seminar room of the Botanical Garden Like Thanksgiving, the Chinese Moon Festival celebrates gratitude for nature and the connection of all people under the same sky. The exhibition "Under the Same Moon" combines these ideas and showcases Chinese ink paintings in the Botanical Garden. Just as the moon appears between light and shadow, ink thrives on the balance between black and white – an invitation to discover the equilibrium of nature and soul. The midissage takes place on 25.09.2026, precisely on the day of the Chinese Moon Festival – an evening where art, nature, and moonlight meet. After a lantern parade from the pavilion to the seminar room, the artist Ai Qun will speak about her works and her artistic approach. A celebration for the whole family! Artist's self-description: My name is Ai Qun – 爱群 – translated from Chinese, it essentially means "love for humanity". I came to Austria with my family from Vietnam in the early 1980s at the age of five. My German teacher at the time supported me by illustrating her explanations with small drawings. This creative way of imparting knowledge strongly influenced me and was an important impetus for me to become artistically active myself. In my paintings, I explore traditional Chinese ink painting, especially the Xie-Yi style on handmade mulberry paper. This very thin, highly absorbent paper requires a fast, decisive, and intuitive way of working, as ink and color immediately penetrate deep into the fibers. The freehand style therefore thrives on spontaneous, as quick as possible brushstrokes. For me, it's not about a true-to-life representation or perfection, but about the expression of emotion and inspiration. An important aspect of my work is the effect of black, gray, and white. Through the interplay of light and shadow, clear contours, and the targeted use of wet and dry techniques, a special depth is created. Although the pictures appear monochromatic at first glance, a subtle color scheme unfolds upon closer inspection. Since ink and color immediately penetrate deep into the paper, corrections are not possible. Every brushstroke is final and directly reflects my personality and the uniqueness of the moment – making each work a unique piece. I apply my strokes intuitively and without preliminary drawing. For me, it's not about perfection, but about expression and vibrancy. After the painting process, the works are traditionally laminated with natural paste onto another layer of paper, which gives stability to the delicate image carrier and enhances the luminosity of the ink. In Chinese ink painting, the seal confirms the authenticity of a work and represents the artist's personal signature. Only with the seal is a painting considered complete and becomes a unique piece. My artistic approach is strongly influenced by Chinese culture, especially by the principle of Yin and Yang. Crucial for me is the interplay of brush, paper, ink, and color, as well as the balance between filled areas and conscious emptiness. Since my roots are in Asia and I grew up in Austria, I combine Far Eastern techniques with European sensibility in my art. I intensively engage with classical Chinese ink painting and try to transfer it into a contemporary European context. This creates a connection between Eastern philosophy and Western visual language, which runs like a red thread through my works. For me, it is a central concern to do this.