Abstract
This paper investigates how traditional Chinese brush-painting philosophies can inform contemporary AI-generated art practices. It explores the tension between imitation and innovation through the lens of ARTography—the integration of artistic, research, and teaching practices—and draws upon my earlier research in Fire, Ink and Play (Wade-Leeuwen, 2011) and The Five Levels of Creativity (Wade-Leeuwen, 2019). In Chinese calligraphic traditions, disciplined imitation of the masters cultivates Qi—the living energy of the brush—and eventually leads to an authentic creative voice. As Lin Yutang (1969) noted, care must be taken “not to mix together different styles of brushwork,” for imitation without spirit results in the loss of Dao, the Way. In contrast, AI-generated imagery merges countless sources without awareness of lineage or intent (Elgammal & Mazzone, 2018; Shen et al., 2022), risking aesthetic “vulgarity” and detachment from embodied creativity. As an artist-researcher-teacher, I base this interpretive research on observations, experiential learnings, textual analysis and reflective discussions with Artist focus groups. Reinterpreting my early Chinese brush-painting training through generative-AI animation and soundscapes, creating hybrid works that move between nature, code, and consciousness. This practice investigates how AI can act as collaborator rather than replacement for human imagination. By balancing reflective intention with technological experimentation, AI-Gen Brushwork demonstrates how ancient artistic philosophies can evolve within new-media environments while maintaining authenticity, spirit, and creative integrity. This paper discusses creative new pathways for artistic expression, while being mindful of balancing one’s experiential ‘Spirit of Play’ with artistic ethical intent.
Presenters
Bronwen Wade-LeeuwenEducator Researcher (STEAM), School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
New Media, Technology and the Arts
KEYWORDS
ARTography, Generative AI, Daoism, Creativity, Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting
