The Existence of Self：A Study of Animal Fables Ink Painting by Kuo Chin-Ping

• Main Authors: Kuo, Chin-Ping, 郭錦屏
• Other Authors: Lee, Chun-Yi
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/384seb

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 美術學系 === 106 === This study focuses on the exploration of the meaning of personal existence, in which the choices made by the author (when faced with different situations) in an effort to preserve individual independence in society have been studied. In addition, the author’s use of paintings to record her emotional transformation as she, through belief and establishing an outlook on life, gradually builds her “ideal self” has been investigated. Instead of an abstract narration of life experiences, the author uses animals as a symbol and metaphor, transforming abstract and obscure psychological states into animal forms. The “commonalities” between animals and humans have been used to showcase their relationships and fables have been created to demonstrate the author’s exploration endeavors and choices made in the search for life’s meaning. This study is divided into five chapters and explained as follows: Chapter 1 (Introduction) expounds the initial concepts developed in this research. Chapter 2 (Academic Theories) introduces theories based on existentialism and logotherapy (proposed by Viktor Emil Frankl (1905–1997)) and philosophies of hope (proposed by Gabriel Marcel (1889–1973)), which are used to explain psychological changes experienced by people when they seek the meaning of life in modern societies. Chapter 3 utilizes the studies described in Chapter 2 to reinforce the creation concept of this study and clarify the use of animals as metaphors. Subsequently, the relationships between humans and animals are elucidated, fables that illustrate the author’s emotional transformation in the search of the meaning of life are created, and the main elements constituting this artwork collection are explicated. Chapter 4 showcases four different series of artwork, and the principles, methods of expression, and creation process of each artwork are explained in detail. Chapter 5 (Conclusion) delves into new external knowledge and inner spiritual values to facilitate a more mature mind when creating art in the future.