The Versatile Master Artist

Professor Watter silently flipped through the thick file in his hand, unsure of what evaluation he should give at this moment.

Professor Watter came to see the principal with the intention of seeing if he could find a better sketch teacher for Gu Weijing.

He didn’t understand why Mrs. Sakai’s advanced class didn’t choose to enroll Gu Weijing as a student. If the principal could speak up and send Gu Weijing to Mrs. Sakai, that would be ideal.

At the very least, the principal could personally write a letter of recommendation for Gu Weijing.

A child like this is born to be on a better stage, destined to sign with galleries and pursue an artistic path in the future.

Prestigious art schools ranked among the top in the world are the stage meant for him.

There, he can find master-level teachers and easily find better opportunities for fame than in Yangon.

Art history is a strange cycle — comparing amateur scholars in the scientific community and researchers at institutes is not worth discussing at all.

As for whether the Academic School or street artists who practice wild Zen are better, there is no definitive conclusion on this issue.

Typically, the former’s technique is stronger, but geniuses who rewrite art history are never within this ”typical” range.

It’s either the East Wind overpowering the West Wind or the West Wind overpowering the East Wind.

Since the end of the Middle Ages, the main storyline of art movement stories has always been similar.

Diverse artists and small unrecognized art factions emerge from the civilian world.

From being suppressed by mainstream art schools and scholarly critics, to conquering the public with the expressive power and outstanding talent of their works, creating a trend of followers, to being noticed and sponsored by certain authorities or famous patrons like the Medici family, the Sklovini family, and the Ilyena family.

Finally becoming the new Academic School, then starting to suppress other small artists...

From battling the dragon to becoming the dragon, they constantly spiral in a cycle.

In one story, the emerging art faction that sparked radical artistic reform becomes, a century later in the next story, the fossilized Academic School boss that a new generation of artists clamor to overthrow.

A touch of black humor in the historical cycle of dynastic changes.

In the late 19th century, the industrial era began.

Impressionism, Romanticism, Aestheticism, Critical Realism...

The historical trend of nearly both the East and the West is that various informal, grassroots art factions initiated attacks and academic criticisms against the big professors sitting in official salons of art schools, defeating them in a sweeping transformation.

The peculiar thing is.

Many outsiders fail to realize that starting from the retirement of the Impressionist generation of diverse grassroots artists, almost all subsequent renowned artists from the art world have backgrounds of professional training from prestigious schools.

In the past half-century, every darling of the auction house has been an art student graduating from top art academies.

There are rarely instances like Van Gogh, who switched from being a missionary, or Renoir, who transitioned from a ceramics shop apprentice.

Artists like Damien Hirst and KAWS already have a fairly ”rock star” public image in the mass media.

In his youth, Hirst was completely like a gang member, involved in petty crimes, twice imprisoned.

Such a background easily gets classified as some dropout delinquent.

But sorry,

he is officially a professionally trained graduate from the consistently top-ten globally ranked University of London College of Art.

Painters are starting to become like technical professions such as lawyers and doctors—emphasizing ”attending college to change one’s fate.”

The more prestigious the school one graduates from, the more one is favored.

Renowned galleries often prioritize students with prestigious school backgrounds.

Students in the Visual Arts Department of the world’s top four art academies, as long as their skills are acceptable, and their graduation exhibition works showcase distinctive qualities.

It’s not too much to ask for, securing a contract with a medium-sized gallery in the creative art district of the Metropolis is not difficult.

Professor Watter felt.

Given Gu Weijing’s current painting level, if he fails to be admitted to some prestigious art schools, it would be unfair to both Gu Weijing and his painting skill.

Now, seeing the document in his hand, he could only smile bitterly and smile again.

There was no need for him to speak anymore.

Under Fitz School’s evaluation system, joining official art associations organized by local professional artists is an achievement comparable to high-level athletes idolized throughout the United States like varsity baseball players.

Although not every European and American country recognizes the official membership status of Myanmar’s cultural department’s Calligraphy and Painting Association to be of significant value.

Some school policies may grant it exceptional admission without exams, while others merely provide bonus points during interviews, or the interviewer might think well of you and could specially approve you a scholarship.

But it’s still an impressive resume.

Especially the photograph co-signed with Mr. Cao Xuan, which effectively serves as a letter of recommendation and a stepping stone.

More useful than suggesting the principal write a personal letter or inform the interviewers in advance.

Whether by networking or genuine skill—a great artist willing to co-sign a painting with him, no sensible interviewer would turn away such a student.

”I guess I was overthinking it; this kid has already set up a remarkable background for himself.”

Professor Watter looked at this unrealistic and almost fantastical mural photograph and signature, touching his nose.

If he didn’t know that Mr. Cao Xuan actually came to Yangon at the beginning of the year.