As mentioned in Concerning the Spiritual in Art, written by Russian artist and theorist Wassily Kandinsky, the creation of a genuine artist is inspired by inner necessity. This theory is really helpful to understand the art in modern and contemporary age. Before the rise of Modernism, it is impossible for artists to create works completely from their inner necessity without considering the preference and needs of their patrons. However, if artists no longer work for patrons, follow traditional themes, or represent specific objects, what and how to express indeed becomes a choice of artists themselves. Therefore, an Artist's ability of appreciation and cultural quality will determine the mental power of his works. From Shang Pingjun's paintings, we can clearly feel the influence of the inner necessity to his creation.
　　Pingjun and I came to know each other when we worked together in the editorial department of Tsinghua Art. He worked diligently in this position which does not provide a considerable salary, while he contributed to most of Tsinghua Art's publications. I felt that there must be something strong that supported him. With time going by, I know Pingjun better and now I know that he can keep simple because of his faith to Buddhism and art.
　　This June, I came to Pingjun's studio with some friends, and I found his bookcases filled with Buddhist scriptures, which made me think of a short message he sent to me in a winter vacation, saying that he was worshiping Buddha in Tibetan Area of Sichuan Province. At that time, I thought it was just some sigh with emotion from a curious tourist and did not know that he was really related to Buddhism. He has got acquainted with Master Xue Xiang as early as 1988, who was the abbot of Jingci Temple, and has studied Diamond Sutra, Platform Sutra seriously. I'm not a Buddhist, but I respect the thoughts of Buddhism and people with faith. I can't understand the profound meaning in Buddhism, but some Buddhism sutras, which I read superficially before, really touched me deeply. For Pingjun, these Buddhist thoughts must not only have touched his heart, but also have influenced his daily behavior.
　　Pingjun graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Zhejiang Academy of Fine Art (the predecessor of China Academy of Art). During his study in the University, he was lucky to listen to the lecture of Mr. Zhao Wuji, which has essential influence to his choice of abstract painting later. Although most of his works were figurative paintings at this time, he began to do various experiments on Modernism Art. In 1989, he created "Sunyata" (performance art), and this theme appeared in his works repeatedly later. From 1994-1995, he created abstract painting works, such as "Exist" "Dissemination" "Sunyata" and so on. Some people said that there had been abstract painting in ancient China, but I think that abstract painting is a creation of western modernism art, and a simple analogy between the form of Chinese painting and abstract painting isn't a pertinent judgment about Modernism. Abstract painting overthrew the rule of representation in painting, but it didn't abandon the pursuit of aesthetic value. Roger Fry defended for Cezanne's painting, and thought that if his paintings are read carefully, the beauty of form, which is a far cry from the representation of objects, can be found. As the theoretical support of abstract painting, formalism aesthetic provides an effective tool to the analysis of abstract art language, but the abstract painting is not mixture of points, lines and surfaces. When we look at Mark Rothko's and Jackson Pollock's abstract paintings, we can feel deep and sincere spirits and emotions in their works obviously, which come from artists' deeper understanding of culture and their instinctive creative impulse.
　　Shang Pingjun's paintings have changed from the abstract of objects from nature to the expression of pure spirituality. In his earlier works, such as "Impression of Southern Anhui", "Whose Hair Has Fallen in the Rose Shrubs", it is not difficult to find the image of Southern Anhui's dwellings and hair. He just turned these figurative elements into a simple symbol, and then structured the picture with these symbols. In recent two years, most of his abstract paintings, such as "Realm of Light", "Protective Coloration", "Amid the Clouds and Mist", and "Lotus Garden" were inspired by his inward world filled with faith of Buddhism and understanding of life. The language of these paintings is purer, which formed a effect of rich and distant space by the superimposition of colored patches.
　　In fact, we can explain Pingjun's life attitude by reference of Chinese Taoist thought: To pursue the ultimate nihility, and attain the peace of mind. Just as his daily behavior and art works, Pingjun abandons selfish desire, excludes selfish motives, keeps peaceful and quiet, and obeys the law of nature. I hope Pingjun will make great progress in the future.

Zhang Gan
August 17, 2013

作者：Zhang,Gan