Chinese calligraphy imported to the University of Maryland

In the halls of the Art Sociology building during Maryland Day Zhu Xiadong held his Chinese calligraphy exhibition called Expressive Inky Space of Black and White: Caligraphy and Painting Exhibition.

Born in Shanghai, Zhu received a Bachelor of Arts in Archeology and Museology from Shanghai University. A native Chinese speaker, Xiadong found himself in the halls of Maryland because of his wife.

Xiadong’s wife teaches at the Confucius institute at Maryland, the President of the Institure knew he was coming and asked him to exhibit his knowledge of calligraphy.

The Office of Chinese Language Council International helped establish the Confucius Institute at Maryland to promote the understanding of China today through study of Chinese language, culture, ethics and philosophy according to the website.

Calligraphy can take on many forms

Chinese calligraphy dates back to 3,000 years ago and is an art form taught in classes in the Art Sociology building.

“Each character has a specific meaning,” Xiadong said. “The combination of several characters come together and represents another meaning, a whole sentence.”

Xiadong explained that the black and white space in the calligraphy is about creating a balance aesthetically. The characters form to create art.

The art represents something bigger because each character represents a term but you can also look at the whole piece as a sample of art.

“For a viewer, if they understand the meaning of each character they have two ways of appreciating the painting,” Xiadong said.

Students who came to the exhibit were able to experience a new type of art that they had not been previously exposed to.

Students interpret Chinese calligraphy as abstract art

“Although I didn’t understand what each character meant, it is easy to appreciate the beautiful lines and strokes of each painting,” student Lexi Levy said.

Xiadong had a translator with him who was helped the artist answer any questions that people may have about the works.

 If someone didn’t understand what a Chinese character said, Xiadong’s translator could help with the explanation but it is not necessary to know what each character means.

The artist explained that calligraphy in itself is art enough and deals with main elements of art like color, balance and line.