A year’s plan starts with spring. Curtis, a Ghanaian international student at Liaoning Communication University, took a stroll in the springtime and went to the Hu Kuizhang Writing Brush Studio in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. There, he studied Chinese calligraphy under the guidance of teachers, exploring the profound beauty of Chinese characters embodied in the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
During his study in Shenyang, Curtis developed a profound fascination with calligraphy. He successively studied official script and regular script under the guidance of young calligrapher Zou Hong and Guo Dejun, vice-chairman of Shenyang Calligraphers Association. “Chinese calligraphy may seem simple, but it is quite difficult to master. Through horizontal, vertical, left-falling and right-falling strokes, people can appreciate the profound essence of Chinese characters,” Curtis noted. “I believe that to truly understand Chinese culture, one must study Chinese calligraphy.”
Inside the time-honored Hu Kuizhang Writing Brush Studio in Shenyang, several representative inheritors of brush-making craftsmanship were concentrating on trimming delicate brush tips, and the initially disheveled tufts were transformed into smooth and refined ones. Learning that a single Hu Kuizhang brush requires three major processes with 126 sub-steps, Curtis’s eyes widened in astonishment. “I never imagined the brush I use daily would involve such intricate and meticulous craftsmanship,” he exclaimed.
Curtis learned the writing of official script from his teacher. “Official script features square yet simple forms, with a round and solid structure, exuding a rich flavor of Chinese characters. I deeply appreciate this flavor,” Curtis remarked. “In the official script style, horizontal strokes are long while vertical strokes are short, emphasizing the feature of ‘a round onset like a silkworm and an upward end like a wild goose’s tail’ and ‘twists and turns in a single stroke’.” The teacher patiently introduced the writing methods of official script to him.
The most challenging part for Curtis was holding the brush, which had a big difference from his familiar writing habits. “To achieve the effect of writing firm and powerful strokes with the brush’s middle tip, I needed to hold the brush perpendicular to the paper’s surface. It took considerable practice to master the natural wrist movements required for brush control,” he explained. Under the teacher’s guidance, Curtis gradually grasped the essentials of brush manipulation. His brush movement became increasingly steady, and his strokes became stronger.
“The deeper I immerse myself in studying it, the more I realize the profundity of Chinese calligraphy,” said Curtis. Liaoning Provincial Museum has become his favorite haunt during leisure time, captivating him with a rich array of calligraphy exhibitions, seal shows and bamboo and wooden slip displays. He often loses himself in contemplation in front of the elegant and flowing strokes of Chinese script. “Calligraphy is China’s unique artistic language. Through this, one can truly understand China and comprehend the essence of Chinese culture embedded in these strokes,” Curtis noted.
After a period of dedicated practice, Curtis’s calligraphy skills reached an impressive level, drawing admiration and praise from his classmates. This inspired him to create and frame several calligraphy pieces as gifts for his international peers. Lifting his brush, he wrote four characters meaning “world peace”.
“The most remarkable aspect of Chinese calligraphy is its pursuit of inner peace and tranquility,” Curtis shared. “It has not only tempered my mind but also deepened my comprehension of Chinese culture.” He continued, “‘He (harmony)’ is my favorite character, which symbolizes the inclusiveness and harmony of Chinese culture.”
