For the Chinese Transcipt, please click here

 

Video 1

 

There are no words written wrongly in calligraphy. 

Based on the old calligraphy style, the lack of or addition a stroke does not matter.

 

However, in the modern age, people tend to criticize this. For example,
in calligraphy competitions, they penalize characters written wrongly, which should not be the case. If they were to follow the ancient text, it will be correct. 
Ancient texts are derived from wordings on tombstones. In the past, when people die, their deeds are carved on their tombstones. The style of calligraphy used follows the era the tombstones are erected.
 

How long have you been practicing calligraphy?I have only practiced calligraphy only for a couple of years.
 

Why did you started calligraphy?
When I was in primary school, we were forced to learn it as my teacher wanted to teach. So we had no choicebut to follow suit.
 

So you have practicing calligraphy for about 50 years 
already?
If we were to count the duration I was serious about 
calligraphy, I only began 4 years ago, practicing under
a calligraphy teacher.
 

So you had to learn calligraphy in primary school?
In the past, all the students in chinese schools had to 
learn calligraphy.
 

So did you had an interest in calligraphy since you 
were young?
When I was young, I did not had any interest. I did it 
for the sake of doing as the teacher wanted to teach it.At that time, we did it as it was homework. But now, I feel that writing calligraphy is a form of self-cultivation, a way of practising chi and a way to longevity. You do not necessarily have to exercise to 
have a long life. Writing calligraphy will also lead to longevity as seen in history where expert calligraphers often live up to eighties or nineties.

Do any of your children learn calligraphy?
They will learn it once they have interest in it. In order 
for this to happen, they must have the mindset of 
settling down, in not, they will not be able to write 
good calligraphy.

What is the definition of good calligraphy?
Good calligraphy is defined as beautiful writings. When others view your work, they will think it is different from the rest. It uplifts the aura of the writer. In order 
to write good calligraphy, you have to learn the regular script first. There are 2 types of regular script. There is 作作作 and the more famous on, 作作作. There is also the 作作作 which is narrower and skinnier than the 2.作作作 is the more elegant of writing whereas 作作作 is more spectacular. Which type of style of writing you adopt 
depends on your character; if you are tougher, 作作作 will suit you better. On the other hand, if you gentle, 作作作 will be a more suitable choice. You have to choose 
wisely base on your personality, if not you will not be able to grasp the essence of each style. There is also the 作作作 which is the 作作. It is more dynamic and has 
more connectivity between strokes. 
 

How do you know which style to adopt?
You have to seek a teacher to ask for pointers. He will 
advise you which style to use. You will start with the regular script before moving on to the others. If you skip steps, you will not be able to write the more 
complicated styles and your words will be lifeless and have no emotions and unable to bring out the aura of the words.

 

 

Video 2

 

Why is calligraphy unpopular?
Calligraphy is not a trend, it is a kind of culture. Cultures can be trends but cultures are not a subset ofthe trends. Trends will always change but culture is 
legacy. Nowadays, many people are immersed in trends but not cultures. Calligraphy is a refined art form. Like the western art scene, there are deep and shallow meanings within art and also traditional arts like oil paintings. Why not many people oil paints? It is because the modern man prefers realistic, fast and easily acceptable kind of art form. Calligraphy on the other hand has no limits and people will be immersed in it. When you learn about it, its as if you are 
communicating with history, understanding their way 
of thinking. 

How long do you need to master calligraphy?
To master a skill, you need talent. Calligraphy is no exemption and furthermore, its a form of art. With talent and hard work, you will be able to pick it up 
very quickly. However, if you lack talent, you still can learn calligraphy but your progress will be slower. Art is unlike science or mathematics where you can 
memorize, apply theories and practice. Art is different; if you do not have the talent, you will not be able to draw out the essence of the subject. Its not something 
you can substitute with hard work.

 

Do you need to have a good grasp of the Chinese 
language to appreciate and write calligraphy?
My teacher has taught Africans before. Although they do not understand the words, they are still able to copy the words from books. After copying for a period 
of time, others will teach them the meaning and what is the word. From there, they will pick it up slowly despite having no foundations. You do not need 
foundations in art, only talent. Without talent, they will not able to attain a high level in any art form.

 

Will you give or even sell your pieces?
I have not reach the level of being able to sell my calligraphy pieces but I still do give them out for free like to my children's teachers. 

Have you ever thought of teaching calligraphy?

I will not teach others as I am still learning as well. However, before the Qing dynasty, all scholars must be able to write well, if not, they will not be able to go 

for examinations. As their examinations require them to write essays, if your handwriting is ugly, the examiner will not read your script and will dispose it. 
However, in the present age, this is no longer in practise anymore.

 

Video 3

 

There is the small dot, long dot and horizontal dot.
The horizontal dot is used to write the character 'prosperity'.

Imagine writing the horizontal stroke like a passing cloud in the sky and it will be beautiful.The vertical stroke must be like a withered tree trunk.

It is not straight and there are bends in it.
The horizontal fold's beauty lies in the strength of the 
stroke.
There is also the bie and na.
There is a word that encompasses all the the strokes 
which is yong.
It is not as it easy as it looks to write the dot.
The brush must be held in a vertical line. Do not rush when writing, the slower the better and enjoy the 
process.
You can place your other hand on the the table to 
steady your writing hand. 
You must also plan before writing, evaluate how big is 
the writing area and how big the character must be.

 

Video 4

 

You must estimate how big the writing space is and 
where to place the character. These must be taken 
into account before writing.
The quality of the paper will affect how the ink diffuses
so you must also understand the paper's quality.
The faster you write, the less likely the ink will 
smudge.