While Chinese Calligraphy is widely regarded as art, it is not so popularly practised or appreciated. For example, the calligraphic couplets, or 书法, shūfǎ : used during Chinese New Year are displayed more for decorative and auspicious function, rather than to be appreciated. And the people who practise it are mainly the Chinese inclined elderly. Without the young taking up the 

mantle, or in this case, picking up the brushes, Chinese Calligraphy is slowly fading out from Singapore’s society. Yet calligraphy still finds itself deeply entrenched in Chinese culture and society, if only because it is a cultural baggage passed on for generations. What is a wedding invitation without some calligraphic words on the invitation card? What is Chinese New Year without calligraphic couplets? What can be more Chinese than Chinese calligraphy itself?

 

 

But are viewers able to trace the strokes in the characters with their eyes and imagine the calligrapher writing with his mind, eyes, hand and heart? Can the form, balance and beauty of the words transcend the paper on which it is written into the hearts and minds of its audience?

 

 

 

Our project, then, seeks to explore the state of Chinese Calligraphy in our society today. We spoke with a couple who are themselves masters of Chinese Calligraphy about its popularity in our society and what more can be done to promote it as an art form. We also explored the different ways Chinese Calligraphy is practised, its transformations, derivations and evolutions, and how all these are breathing new life in an otherwise ancient art form.

 

 

 

Chinese Calligraphy may be a dying art for it is slowly losing its audience, but through its new interpretations and efforts by the Chinese community to preserve their heritage and identity, the dyeing art may yet survive the test of time, for it is the very heart and soul of the Chinese Society.