As ordinary people we often hear “if I can relive my life I’d do this and that” or “In my next life I will definitely do this” but an object is damaged by nature and human activities and in history that is only a disappearing attitude or phenomenon.

　　What terrifies me is that faith and belief is disappearing. We can mend a broken object and recreate it or even make it beautiful again with even more value. A human body cannot be recreated and there might not be a next life but we can always rebuild a soul and a lost belief. Teachers fix knowledge system; doctors health; politicians, war and peace. But to fix humanity and soul relies on faiths and beliefs.

　　Eight years ago I left the business world to practice art. In the sun, in my dream and every moment I’m walking among rocks, porcelain and canvases, hoping to express and to communicate, indulge more of my feelings on the old-fashioned and outworn. I grew from a feisty perfectionist to someone who listens and tolerate other people and flaws. I analyze myself and try to fix my problems. When faced with temptations I chose persistence and beliefs.

　　It may seem like the artist makes the artwork. Where in truth, art is an actual being deep down in the artist’s heart. The artist merely discovers and re-discovers it. Art nourishes the artist’s life and is an extension of it. It inspires the artist and gives him another life. Beautiful pottery comes from mud and gets a new life. But earth is its mother.

　　Nuwa did not have to make so much effort to fix the sky and the ground with her power. But if that were the case, how would we be able to see this flawed but colorful world that was reborn after the constant mending?

　　That’s why Buddha says, the second the butcher puts down the cleaver he becomes the Buddha. We don’t have to wait. We can start being honest now; pick up our lost soul and belief. Thus rebirth is achieved.

Liu Yanjun

June, 2013

Beijing

作者：Liu,Yanjun