Revealing characters
Wu Dichen bewitches fans with strokes of grace as her calligraphy writes a new chapter in the traditional art form, Chen Nan reports.
"Learning calligraphy requires an in-depth knowledge about its cultural background, which cannot be gained overnight," says Xu, adding that in Chinese, calligraphy is shufa, with shu meaning "writing" while fa meaning "the laws" or "methods".
"The way of holding your brush, moving your arm and hand, and arranging the strokes, all are based on rules, which take time to practice," says Xu.
Speaking of his own experience of learning and practicing calligraphy, Xu says that he feels at peace once he dips his brush into the ink.
"Each character you write reflects your mood at that moment. It also shows your personality and aesthetic," says Xu, who has more than 60 students from all walks of life, ranging from college students to retirees.
In ancient China, youngsters started compulsory, extensive training in calligraphy with ink, brush and paper even before they reached their teens. Today, with ubiquitous modern technology, few write with a pen, let alone calligraphically. But there are signs that the discipline is attracting a new generation of fans.
In his hometown, Haicheng, Liaoning province, Xu says, there are more than 100 calligraphy training centers. "Our small city has only about 2 million people, but young people learning calligraphy has become a growing phenomenon in society," Xu says.
