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December 14, 2024

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Calligraphy show displays artist鈥檚 daily writings and true character

The largest calligraphy exhibition of Liu Haisu (1896-1994), a prominent Chinese painter, calligrapher, art educator and art historian, is on display at the Liu Haisu Art Museum until January 15.

The exhibits, which take up six halls in the museum, comprise 200 pieces of calligraphy done by Liu.

Liu, a major figure in China鈥檚 modern art history, is regarded as a 鈥渟piritual leader and academic mentor鈥 to the subsequent generation with seminal influence.

Liu was one of the first to incorporate elements of Western post-impressionism painting into the traditional Chinese splash-ink style.

鈥淭oday鈥檚 young people no longer think that calligraphy is a must-learn skill,鈥 said Jin Wenyi, the exhibition鈥檚 curator.

鈥淲hen you look back in history, calligraphy is actually the 鈥榗ultural gene鈥 in the blood of every Chinese person. A pen and a sheet of paper were once considered the 鈥榮tandard equipment鈥 of Chinese intellectuals.鈥

However, a computer keyboard now replaces them, allowing users to input information using a variety of fonts that can be mixed, deconstructed or reassembled.

鈥淲hile enjoying the convenience brought by the technological progress, we realized that calligraphy becomes something related to intangible cultural heritage, and only a few people can master the unique skill.鈥

Thus, Jin and his curatorial team want to highlight a number of questions throughout the exhibition, such as 鈥渋s there still a point in learning calligraphy鈥 and 鈥渉ow to bring the audience to experience the traditions and culture that have influenced China for thousands of years.鈥

Jin said: 鈥淲e hope that Liu Haisu and his calligraphy would ignite the interest and passion among the viewers toward the charm of Chinese calligraphy.鈥

Some argue that calligraphy, through those brushstrokes, reflects a person鈥檚 character, emotion, experience and self-cultivation because it is more than just a writing skill.

Liu鈥檚 calligraphy work may serve as proof.

Visitors will be able to see papers and letters written by Liu to his family. These exhibits are among the most popular at the exhibition. Among them are five letters sent to his wife, Xia Yiqiao, in which he expressed his worry for the world, discussed art concepts and exchanged information with relatives and friends.

Calligraphy is commonly regarded as a beautiful art form, yet these 鈥渄aily writings鈥 with the flavor of everyday life best show the calligrapher鈥檚 true character.

The exhibition also features some of Liu鈥檚 imitations of old Chinese masterpieces, and it is also interesting for visitors to compare the brushstrokes in Liu鈥檚 paintings to the curves he penned in calligraphy.

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