Gathering At The Orchid Pavilion. Art Talk with Robert Bunkin

In 353 CE Wang Xizhi convened a drinking and poetry party at Mount Kuaiji during the Spring Purification Festival. 42 Literati were challenged to compose poetry, while drinking cups of rice wine that were floated on a stream that flowed by the Orchid Pavilion (Lantingji). The host wrote his famous “preface” that described the event, and subsequently inspired numerous paintings, poems and calligraphy. Asian artists from China, Japan and Korea, continue to be inspired by this classic of Chinese literature. The Lantingji Xu is a fundamental statement of the Chinese Literati tradition, and can be found not only in paintings and calligraphy, but on objects associated with literati pursuits, such as brush holders, water jars and lacquer work. Chinese Scholar’s Gardens, like those in Suzhou, take inspiration from this classic work as well.

Robert Bunkin is a painter, curator, art historian, and educator with a BS from CUNY and an MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. He has taught art history and studio art in several NYC art schools, universities, colleges, and museums.

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