The Sublime Art of Chinese Brush Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy (brush calligraphy) has long been considered a cornerstone of Chinese culture. It has been consistently practiced as a major aesthetic expression from the 5th century BC. Qin (a string musical instrument), Qi (a strategic board game), Shu (calligraphy) and Hua (painting), are the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati.
Regarded as the most abstract and sublime form of art in Chinese culture, “Shufa” (calligraphy) is often thought to be most revealing of one’s personality. During the imperial era, calligraphy was used as an important criterion for the selection of civil officials to the imperial court. Unlike other visual art techniques, all calligraphy strokes are permanent and incorrigible, demanding careful planning and confident execution. While one has to conform to the defined structure of words, the expression can be extremely creative.
The Timeless Influence and Practice of Brush Calligraphy
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. Diffusing ink blots and dry brush strokes are viewed as a natural impromptu expression rather than a fault. 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.
Calligraphy is used to inscribe architectural wonders and famous sites of natural beauty, to celebrate holidays and to improve one’s health. Calligraphy artists are frequently called upon to produce calligraphic works, and these are displayed in public buildings, engraved in stone at public parks, reproduced in newspaper mastheads and on magazine covers and coveted as private gifts.
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 the beginning of a new school year. Not too long ago, Korean government officials were required to excel in calligraphy. In the West, Picasso and Matisse are two artists who openly declared the influence by Chinese calligraphy on their works.
