Vincent Gogh was a Dutch postimpressionist painter whose work represents the archetype of expressionism--the idea of emotional spontaneity in painting. It was not until 1880, at the age of 27, that Van Gogh chose art as a vocation. Virtually unknown during his lifetime, Van Gogh is now perhaps the most widely known and appreciated representative of Post-Impressionism.

Early in life he displayed a moody, restless temperament that was to thwart his every pursuit. In his enthusiasm he induced the painter Paul Gauguin, whom he had met earlier in Paris, to join him. After less than two months they began to have violent disagreements, culminating in a quarrel in which van Gogh wildly threatened Gauguin with a razor; the same night, in deep remorse, van Gogh cut off part of his own ear. For a time he was in a hospital at Arles. He then spent a year in the nearby asylum of Saint-Rémy, working between repeated spells of madness. He died, having sold only one work, following a botched suicide attempt.

After reading the biography of Van Gogh, I had a different definition for "artist" or "art." I used to believe that in order to be an outstanding artist, presenting the work with perfect skill is a key factor. As I over-emphasized the technique aspect, I missed the real beauty of art.

The most wonderful thing about Van Gogh's paintings is not his flawless color usage or explosive brushwork, but his passion for art and love. Everybody can be an artist if she/he lives in accordance with her/his beliefs and continues being herself/himself. However, most people lose the courage to continue living that way. Sometimes we grow up and start to realize that we need to formulize ourselves to fit into the standardized world. We all experience the struggle between reality and dream in life. We all wonder whether we should make a living or live in the dream. There are rules, restrictions, and disappointments in life that generally take away the ability to dream and take away the courage to be ourselves. Van Gogh was one of the a few people who didn't lose the power to become who he always intended to be, and accomplish what he always wanted to do. Even though his work went largely unrecognized during his lifetime, he never compromised his artistic integrates. Van Gogh's work presented his passionate for art, obsession with love, and perhaps spiritual anguish, depression, and disappointment of life.

Psychologists considered him emotionally disordered. However, the emotional intensity of his personality makes his paintings some of the best-known and loved images in all of art. Art cannot be measured by a formula, but is self-taught and self-centered. We may become skilled in drawings, paintings, and sculptures through comprehensive training and endless practice. However, skill and technique will not necessarily turn people into artists. An artist transforms her/his intangible feelings into tangible artwork with sensibility, which allows her/him to taste happiness and swallow or digest sorrows.

Liu believes that most of us are framed and carved by the "social ruler." He uses "simple" words to speak out for them. Liu is an auditor, and likes to think he's making a living rather than living in the dream now. He can be reached at ycliu@american.edu.

And don't forgot the following letter from last month's Culture Schlock:

Dear Galapagos Editors,

I am writing to you to ask your help in promoting Boston Review's first annual poetry contest, and to offer you a way to promote your excellent journal with a link on our Web site.

The contest is open to all and offers a $1,000 prize along with publication in the Review. As this is the first year of the contest, we are eager to spread the word as widely as possible.

Boston Review has gained a reputation for publishing excellent poetry. Robert Hass, Charles Simic, Jorie Graham , Karen Volkman, James Tate, Heather McHugh, Bill Knott, and Claudia Rankine are just a few of the poets who have contributed new work to the Review in the past several years. And every issue features a younger poet's work published in the "Sampler" with an introduction by a well-known poet.

Complete Guidelines

The winning poet will receive the $1000 prize and have his or her work published in the October/November 1998 issue of Boston Review. The guidelines are as follows: submit up to five unpublished poems, no more than ten pages total. A $10 entry fee, payable to Boston Review in the form of a check or money order, must accompany all submissions. Entries must be postmarked no later than June 15, 1998. Simultaneous submissions are allowed if the Review is notified of acceptance elsewhere. Manuscripts must be accepted in duplicate, with a cover note listing the author's name, address, and phone number; names should not appear on the poems themselves. Manuscipts will not be returned; enclose a SASE for notification of winner. All entrants will receive a one-year subscription to the Review beginning with the October/November 1998 issue. Send all submissions to: Poetry Contest, Boston Review, E53-407 MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139; (617) 494-0708.

Sincerely,

Ray Soulard, Jr.
Editorial Assistant