Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat (B. 1943) 2012

ink on cloud-dragon and xuan paper, with three seals of the artist: Shuisongshi shanfang ('The Water, Pine and Stone Retreat'), Xiezhang laoren ('The old man who carries the staff'),  and Yi er san ('One, two, three'), mounted as hanging scroll

The overall condition is extremely good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

INSCRIPTION:

The second Riven-Reality staff of the Cascade Master was, like the first, a reflection of his own mind.  Stone-Fools and Staff-Masters tend to be at least aware, and respectful of the transcendent realm, aspiring to it through various practices.  Or, like all who have lived well beyond the human span, are fully Realized Men dwelling beyond the Stage of Time.  This grants access to the unified realm of comprehension, fulfilling the evolution of consciousness and, as my friend liked to express it, ‘bringing a heart to the waiting universe.’  He also once described it as ‘the gift of delight for the realm beyond the gods’  For all Mystics, this realm of undifferentiated understanding grants a wholly new perspective to illuminate the mundane realm with its separation and descriptions.  The two realms were expressed by both Laozi and Chuangzi as nothingness giving rise to one, one giving rise to two, and two to an infinite number, so the Cascade Master was fond of Riven Reality staves where a single vine divides, and then re-joins: a perfect metaphor for the evolution of consciousness.  As he explained to the occasional seeker after wisdom who sought him out, the human mind first gains the capacity to separate itself from its environment, and then spends ten thousand generations to eventually re-unite with Oneness, but carrying with it the capacity for delight, absent from primordial harmony.  So I paint from the mists of time a little likeness of his staff

Divided Stream

to remind myself of our many entertaining discussions and to recall his poetic way of talking about such substantial matters which we both know to be entirely without substance.  Inscribed by the Master of the Water Pine and Stone Retreat at the Terrace of the Garden at the Edge of the Universe in the spring of 2012.