Taiwanese calligrapher donates rare work to British Museum
Taiwanese calligrapher donates rare work to British Museum
London, July 20 (CNA) A piece of calligraphy in the rare bird-worm style of Chinese brush writing by a centenarian calligrapher from Taiwan has been presented by the artist to the British Museum in London.
The calligraphy, featuring the opening verse of the Chinese historical novel "Romance of the Three Kingdom," was donated on Wednesday by Chao Mu-ho, the only living calligrapher in the Chinese world versed in the antique bird-worm style of calligraphy.
Chao said at a donation ceremony that he felt honored to have his work included in the collection of one of the world's most renowned museums.
The master also said he is willing to donate additional relevant collector's items in his possession to the museum to facilitate the preservation of the unique Chinese writing form.
Oliver H. Urquhart Irvine, the museum's head of Asian and African Studies, who accepted Chao's donation on behalf of the museum, said that although the museum already has bird-worm calligraphy in its trove, Chao's work represents a "new and contemporary addition" to its collection.
Chang Siao-yue, Taiwan's representative to the United Kingdom, said the ceremony marked a historic moment, as the donation will enable more people, including future generations, to appreciate the delicate form of Chinese calligraphy.
Accompanied by his students, Chao arrived in London recently on his second visit to Britain. Despite his advanced years, he remains quite exuberant and looks far younger than his age.
Chao told CNA in an interview that he spent three hours in June creating the piece for the British Museum.
"I chose the opening verse of `Romance of the Three Kingdoms' because it is one of my favorite poems," Chao said, adding that he loves the laid-back attitude toward life portrayed in the lines.
The novel, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history that started in 169 A.D. and ended in 280 A.D.
According to Chao, the bird-worm style dates back more than 3,000 years and has transformed and evolved 20 times. The form he uses developed during the A.D. 9-23 rule of Wang Mang, a period between the Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty.
"It is also the last form of this special style of Chinese calligraphy," Chao said, adding that he is sure nobody else today can write in this ancient style.
Chao said he is more than willing to pass on this cultural heritage to the younger generation and that in Taiwan, he has some students.
"I teach them for free. All of my students will have to practice for at least 10 more years to reach my level of mastery," he said, adding that British citizens are also welcome to study with him.
Born in China, Chao graduated from Shandong Normal University. He was forced to move around to avoid the many wars raging throughout China at the time. He made his way to Taiwan at the age of 40 and taught until he retired at 65.
Chao never stopped learning after his retirement, earning a second university degree at an astonishing 91 and a master's degree at 98.
Source: focus taiwan Website