Asian Arts Insights
explained by a practitioner
Over 50 years ago, I first encountered Chinese art. My immediate thought was: “This is applied philosophy.” Essentially, this remains true today. To truly grasp Asian art, one must engage with philosophies like Daoism and Zen Buddhism.
Sparked by this new passion, I began studying Sinology in 1976 and subsequently spent five years living in China. Notably, I became the first European student admitted to the prestigious CAFA, the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing after the Cultural Revolution. There, I met many significant artists and teachers.
Before this turning point, I painted primarily in oil and dedicated myself to Western genres like Expressionism and Surrealism. However, my artistic expression shifted abruptly. I abandoned Western styles to devote myself entirely to Chinese painting and calligraphy. Eventually, I wrote my dissertation on this subject, specifically about xieyi painting.
Decades of studying original Chinese texts and practical application have brought me closer to the core of Asian art. While I previously gave lectures and published occasionally, the internet now serves as my primary medium. On this blog, I regularly publish articles focusing on the philosophical aspects of Daoism and Zen. I also present new artworks shaped by these thoughts. In both cases, I strive for clarity. I use simple language to reach both experts and those just beginning their journey in this field. You can find my own works, organized by theme, on my portfolio page.
I invite you to explore Asian thought on these pages and take a look behind the scenes of my creative process. I hope you find inspiration here.
Selected artworks by Friedrich Zettl are available as originals or high-quality prints in various sizes. at: FriedrichZettl.com
Short videos introducing Zettl’s artwork, art reflections and playlists related to art and culture at: Friedrich Zettl video channel
Can you translate the “ragged time” of a contemporary piano piece into a visual language? Following a casual comment on a previous article, I took on the challenge of graphically interpreting soundeagle’s composition. Moving away from traditional calligraphy, I chose to take the word “rag” literally—creating an aesthetic of use where soft, faded layers of…
What happens when you go skinny-dipping in a Carinthian stream with jazz legend Don Cherry, or watch Friedrich Gulda attack an amplified clavichord with a knife and fork? This personal reflection looks back on a golden era of musical rebellion in 1970s Austria and offers some insights into the world of classical music, the avant-garde,…
“Light as State of Being” explores the depiction of light in painting – from the academic studio through the Impressionists to my own attempt to make Ur-light and cosmic light tangible in images.
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