The Power of Writing Exhibition at Hong Kong Central Library during Chinese Culture Festival 2025, featuring 60 of Hong Kong's most representative painting and calligraphy masters A unique interpretation of Chinese writing art, connecting the internationa

Description

Chinese painting and calligraphy share the same origin and have accumulated over a thousand years of excellent cultural and artistic traditions, serving as an important tool for passing on Chinese culture. Since ancient times, the concepts of 'same origin for painting and calligraphy', 'same method for painting and calligraphy', and 'same form for painting and calligraphy' have been important topics in traditional Chinese art, as well as subjects of constant exploration by Chinese painters and calligraphers throughout history. The idea of 'painting in calligraphy' and 'calligraphy in painting' reflects the close connection and shared artistic language between the two art forms, inspiring creative artistic attempts that are both rooted in tradition and daring in innovation.

To coincide with the Chinese Culture Festival 2025 and actively leverage Hong Kong's advantage as a center for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and foreign countries, the Power of Writing Exhibition, hosted by the Hong Kong Members' Association of the China Literature and Art Association (Hong Kong Federation of Literary and Art Circles) and co-organized by the Hong Kong Members' Branch of the China Artists Association, will be grandly held from July 25 to 31, 2025, at the Hong Kong Central Library, Exhibition Halls 1 to 5 on the Ground Floor. The exhibition aims to showcase the latest developments of Chinese writing art in Hong Kong by presenting the artists' creative works that integrate calligraphy and painting, demonstrating the techniques of brushwork, line, composition, rhythm, layout, and space in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, as well as providing an in-depth deconstruction and reflection on traditional and contemporary calligraphy arts.

Today (July 25), several honored guests and artists attended the opening ceremony to inaugurate the exhibition. Mr. Ma Fung-kuok, Deputy to the National People's Congress from HKSAR, Legislative Council Member, and President of the Hong Kong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, delivered a welcome speech, expressing that the 14th Five-Year Plan of the nation clearly supports Hong Kong in developing into a center for cultural and artistic exchanges between China and foreign countries, providing a valuable opportunity for Hong Kong's cultural sector. The Hong Kong Federation of Literary and Art Circles will continue to act as a bridge, nurturing local artistic talents on the one hand, and deepening cultural cooperation with the mainland and internationally on the other, promoting Chinese culture to the world. We firmly believe that through artistic exchanges and dialogues, we can not only enhance Hong Kong's international influence but also make positive contributions to the cultural development of our country.

Professor Cheng Pei-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Members' Branch of the China Folk Literature and Art Association, pointed out that the Chinese character system stands out in the development of human civilization, distinct from the phonetic writing systems of other cultural traditions. It has provided important cohesion for the long-term development of the Chinese nation. The evolution of Chinese character writing, from oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions to various calligraphy styles such as seal, clerical, cursive, regular, and running scripts, has expanded the aesthetic space of writing beyond its practical function, serving as both a medium for expressing thoughts and emotions and a canvas for visual imagination across different materials. At its core, Chinese painting and calligraphy art is imbued with the spirit of Chinese cultural traditions, with a harmonious interplay between form and content.

Mr. Lam Tin-hing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Members' Branch of the China Artists Association, Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and curator of the exhibition, stated that China is the only country in the world that has continuously used writing as a means of expression for thousands of years, conveying emotions, reflecting the times, and showcasing art. Hong Kong is a place where Chinese traditional culture has been exceptionally well preserved, and it is also an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures converge, embracing diversity, openness, and freedom. There are many enthusiasts of traditional Chinese calligraphy and practitioners of writing art in Hong Kong, who use different artistic materials and forms of writing to express their personal sentiments. Through this exhibition, we hope to convey the power of China's millennia-old writing art to more people.

This exhibition brings together 60 of Hong Kong's most representative painting and calligraphy masters, who are also sociologists, educators, writers, doctors, poets, cartoonists, entrepreneurs, collectors, designers, theater directors, painters, calligraphers, seal carvers, and more. They have not only achieved remarkable success in their respective fields but also continuously pursue innovation in Chinese writing art. The over a hundred pieces of writing art on display strongly reflect the times and embody Hong Kong's characteristics, covering various art forms such as calligraphy, ink painting, oil painting, sculpture, installation art, and technology art, allowing visitors to appreciate the subtle relationship, contemporary expression, and unique interpretation of Chinese painting and calligraphy, paying tribute to the long cultural heritage of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

During the exhibition, seminars, artist demonstrations, and guided tours will be held to enhance the public's appreciation of Chinese writing art, understand the differences and similarities in the techniques of Chinese calligraphy and painting, and gain new insights into Chinese writing art. A special public painting and calligraphy experience area will also be set up on-site for visitors to experience the creative process and cultivate cultural confidence.

Curator: Mr. Lam Tin-hing (Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Hong Kong Members' Branch of the China Artists Association)

Deputy Curator: Mr. Yong Haoran (Council Member of the China Calligraphers Association), Mr. Zhao Zhijun (Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Members' Branch of the China Artists Association, Chairman of the Visual Arts Group of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council)

List of Participating Artists: Lam Tin-hing, Yong Haoran, Zhao Zhijun, Xiong Hai, Liao Jingmei, Ma Dawei, Lin Mozi, Ding Xiangning, Tianchi, Wang Shouqing, Wang Qiutong, Ren Guanzhong, Zhu Daceng, Lv Fengya, Li Youmeng, Li Zuolue, Li Zhiqing, Li Dezhi, Shen Ping, Zhou Jin, He Shaozhong, Lin Jianzhang, Lin Huokui, Jin Yaoji, Shi Yuhuang, Shi Xinquan, Liu Weisong, Hong Qiang, Hu Enwei, Fan Bu, Ni Xingguang, Rong Yiwen, Xu Zixiong, Xu Peizhi, Yi Xing, Qin Lingxue, Gao Xingjuan, Ou Dawei, Zhang Wei, Liang Juting, Liang Nuan, Chen Wanyan, Chen Chengqiu, Chen Zhiheng, Chen Yuqiang, Chen Wei, Mai Cuoying, Ya Shu, Feng Mingqiu, Huang Xiaokui, Yang Huang, Yang Jiamei, Yang Beiya, Jin Shanqiang, Liao Dongmei, Liu Xiaokang, Cai Haiying, Zheng Peikai, Luo Jiahao, Guan Shuwen