This episodes is a continuation of our Art series! We will be talking about Chinese sculpture in the next few videos. Sculpture in China has a long history and even predates most Western sculpture.

In the chaos and instability during Wei, Jin, and North-South dynasties people looked for hope and relief everywhere. When you have nothing how can you still have hope?

How and why did does an icon of Buddha stop refugees in their tracks? Is is because of the religious symbolism behind the icon or is there more to this classic, ethereal icon?

Let's compare the Beiqi Buddha to that of the Northern Wei! Who knew Buddha icons could represent the same ideology yet be so different visually. Take a look for yourself.

The expression that Buddha bears is one of deep peace, but where does this expression come from? What exactly is this so called, "deep peace" and how can we achieve this state of being?

Submission and acceptance of the world is something to respect. There is a phrase in Lao Tzu's "Dao De Jing", "the sage is ruthless, to them ten thousand things are but straw dogs". This phrase doesn't necessarily denounce sages or monks but rather reveres them for their ability to accept things as they are, which in it own right is a remarkable ability.

Living in the political instability of the Wei, Jin, North-South dynasties was in itself an experience of great suffering. How did people like Xiaoming survive? The Buddhist ideas of submission and acceptance may have played a part.

Our host introduces "500 strokes" the work of a Beijing artist. This piece incorporates 500 different single calligraphy brush strokes, each with it's own inspiration.

The artist explains his works. He describes how all of the paintings he does are really just free form and they come from the heart.

The artist based on the fact that young Japanese people who participated in his art project didn't take up most of the page when they were drawing, makes broad assumptions about Japanese society.

The host puts the artists work in perspective and the artist tells us that we can never really understand ourselves until we project ourselves outwardly.

Our host can't wait to try painting and she goes about choosing her ink. The artist describes the process that needs to be unlearned in order for us to let out what's truly in our hearts. We should disregard our training and just paint.

After the host finishes her painting the artist interprets in in relation to her life. He tells her that her life will move in one particular direction but She will have some difficulty right in the middle. In this way his work becomes a type of fortune telling.

The artist explains more of his life philosophy and our inherent contradictions.

In the end our host gives us the message that we should try our best to change the things we can and not over think the things we can't change about ourselves.

An older artist explains how there were no artist studios back in his day.

The artist begins by explaining his daily process of painting.

The artist tells about the intricacies of his very dull painting process. Some people say they want to come watch him painting, but he advises against it. The magic is in the tedium.

The artist describes how he first began painting oil paintings. He copied the paintings on on poker chips confiscated during the cultural revolution.

The painter describes how he would travel all over his city in his teenage years to observe all the different oil painters he could see.

The artist talks about how art progresses and how that progression has to move slowly.

The artist talks about how in his day conversation was more lively and people weren't looking at their phones all the time.

The artist describes how he draws inspiration from Chinese mythology, but he has his own flavor and interpretations.