Chinese Painting & Calligraphy

 Starting around 4000 B.C. traditional Chinese painting has developed continuously over a period of more than six thousand years. Its growth has inevitably reflected the changes of time and social conditions. In its early stage of development, Chinese painting was closely related to the other crafts, from pottery to the decorations used on the bronzes, carved jade and lacqerware.

The style and technique in Chinese painting have varied greatly over the years, from very detailed portraits to paintings of flowers done with large brush strokes. The variations have given a rich and broad tradition with room for personal experimenting and development. Typical motifs in Chinese Brush painting are flowers, birds, animals and landscapes; but even more important than the visual image is the message behind the painting. A painting expresses the inner spirit of the subject or the feelings of the artist. On most Chinese paintings there is written a calligraphic inscription in addition to the painting itself, such as a saying, a beautiful poem, or a poetic description of the scene in the picture. The painter signs the painting by adding a red seal.Philosophy and symbolism play a huge part in Chinese art. Each animal has its own symbolism, and can be used to convey the artist’s message. Flowers can symbolize a number of things depending on the flower, for instance good fortune, good luck, wisdom, summer, old age, renewal, purity, and sweetness.Chinese paintings are done on silk or on rice paper. Rice paper is very thin, very delicate material which absorbs paint very easily. In ancient times, shells and bones were also painted on. The paint used is often water colors or Chinese painting colors.

Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy (Brush calligraphy) is an art unique to Asian cultures. Shu (calligraphy), Hua (painting), Qin (a string musical instrument), and Qi (a strategic boardgame) are the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati.

Regarded as the most abstract and sublime form. of art in Chinese culture, “Shu Fa” (calligraphy) is often thought to be most revealing of one’s personality. During the imperial era, calligraphy was used as an important criterion for selection of executives to the Imperial court. Unlike other visual art techniques, all calligraphy strokes are permanent and incorrigible, demanding careful planning and confident execution. Such are the skills required for an administrator / executive. While one has to conform. to the defined structure of words, the expression can be extremely creative. To exercise humanistic imagination and touch under the faceless laws and regulations is also a virtue well appreciated.

 By controlling the concentration of ink, the thickness and adsorptivity of the paper, and the flexibility of the brush, the artist is free to produce an infinite variety of styles and forms. In contrast to western calligraphy, diffusing ink blots and dry brush strokes are viewed as a natural impromptu expression rather than a fault. While western calligraphy often pursue font-like uniformity, homogeneity of characters in one size is only a craft. To the artist, calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body to choose the best styling in expressing the content of the passage. It is a most relaxing yet highly disciplined exercise indeed for one’s physical and spiritual well being. Historically, many calligraphy artists were well-known for their longevity.

Brush calligraphy is not only loved and practiced by Chinese. Koreans and Japanese equally adore calligraphy as an important treasure of their heritage. Many Japanese schools still have the tradition of having a student contest of writing big characters during beginning of a new school year. A biannual gathering commemorating the Lanting Xu by Wang Xi Zhi (The most famous Chinese calligrapher in Jin dynasty, ) is said to be held ceremonially in Japan. There is a national award of Wang Xi Zhi prize for the best calligraphy artist. Not too long ago, Korean government officials were required to excel in calligraphy. The office of Okinawa governor still displays a large screen of Chinese calligraphy as a dominating decor.