Eight Years Since Brother Hou Jinlang's Journey to the Sky
The Hou family cemetery is located in Paris's historic Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Every Labor Day, I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and remembrance. My respected brother "Jinlang," who left us on May 1, 2008, is remembered as we gaze toward the horizon. Together with Michi (Mrs. Hou), I pay my respects at the Hou family cemetery, offering this short essay to express my reverence, silent contemplation, prayers, memories, and blessings.
Hou Jinlang (1937–2008) devoted his life to three major fields: First, academia, covering Buddhist and Daoist art, Dunhuang studies, Chinese art, portrait research, and Taiwanese folk religious beliefs. Second, art, including painting and clay sculpture. Third, the democratic movement in his homeland.
Hou Jinlang’s life was not merely a trio but like a symphony building to a climax. He was a scholar, a fighter for life, and an outstanding artist. His academic achievements were unique, and his artistic creations were vibrant and brilliant, evident to all. Clearly, art serves as a clear mirror of the creator’s state of mind. Through Hou Jinglang’s artistic works, we can confirm that creative power is akin to the will to exist; life is the living source of art, and art is the spiritual pillar of life.