Mr. Geng Di
Master of Sichuan Knife Painting
A Life in Blade and Ink
Founder of Sichuan Shufeng Knife Painting Society
Mr. Geng Di was born in 1938 in Mianyang, Sichuan Province. From an early age, he was drawn to the beauty of the Sichuan landscape — mist-shrouded mountains, rushing rivers, and ancient forests that have inspired Chinese painters for millennia.
After years of study in traditional Chinese painting, Mr. Geng Di developed a revolutionary approach: using steel palette knives instead of brushes to apply pigment to canvas. This technique, known as knife painting (刀画), creates textures and depth impossible to achieve with conventional brushwork.
As the founder of the Sichuan Shufeng Knife Painting Society, Mr. Geng Di has dedicated his life to creating, researching, teaching, and promoting this distinctive art form. His works have been exhibited throughout China and have earned numerous awards and honors.
Today, at the age of 87, Mr. Geng Di continues to paint daily, passing on his knowledge to students and creating new works that capture the ever-changing beauty of the Sichuan landscape.
The Spirit of Knife Painting
Blade as Brush
The steel blade is not merely a tool but an extension of the artist’s hand and spirit. Each stroke carries intention, force, and emotion that brushes cannot replicate.
Landscape as Soul
Every painting is a meditation on the Sichuan landscape — not merely a representation, but a spiritual encounter with mountains, water, mist, and sky.
Tradition and Innovation
Knife painting honors the thousand-year tradition of Chinese landscape painting while pushing the boundaries of texture, dimension, and expressive possibility.
Passing the Torch
Through teaching and mentorship, Mr. Geng Di ensures that the art of knife painting will continue to evolve and inspire future generations of artists.