A compelling work of art must give rise to intentional imagery. Such imagery becomes the core of the work, whether it embodies the artist’s conceptual assertions or reflects their response to the spirit of the time. The generation of imagery is essential, for only through it can viewers form their own intentional engagement with the work. Even in conceptual art, where no visual image may be explicitly presented, the generation of imagery remains indispensable. If a work fails to produce imagery, it signifies an absence of content, and thus cannot be considered a work of art.

Beyond the generation of imagery, a work must also contain emotion. Here, emotion does not necessarily imply passion, but rather encompasses an unrestricted range of affect. Only when emotion is infused into a work can it truly move its audience. Technique, meanwhile, is neither absolute nor all-encompassing; it is a means rather than an end. Realist works possess the techniques of realism, expressive works have their own technical demands, and abstract works likewise require techniques specific to abstraction. Although technique is not the ultimate goal, a technically proficient artist is better able to exercise control and articulate the work with greater precision. In this sense, technique also becomes an essential aspect of aesthetic appreciation.

A work of art is fundamentally composed of four elements: theme, material, form, and content. Whether these components can operate cohesively—mutually reflecting, supporting, and existing in a symbiotic relationship—constitutes a crucial criterion for discerning a successful work.

It is often said that one must “enter into dialogue” with a work of art. Dialogue is a dynamic and progressive process, one that unfolds through gradual understanding. As viewers attentively contemplate a work, they also come to recognize their own preferences in the present moment. In fact, artists themselves engage in a dialogue with the work as it is being created. From Martin Heidegger’s (1889–1976) perspective, art already exists within the universe; the artist and the artwork stand in a reciprocal relationship, mutually complementing and supporting one another. What ultimately emerges is the moving work before us. This interdependent process gives rise to a “synergistic effect,” which becomes visible through the traces of creation revealed in the work and perceived through the viewer’s gaze. This, too, is one of the most crucial criteria by which I evaluate whether an artist is truly outstanding.

Through the transmission of artistic content and value, artists affirm their own artistry, and through the distance traversed along the path of exploration, they fulfill the purpose of their creative pursuit.