CHEN Chi-chuan

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CHEN Chi-chuan (陳其銓) (1917 - 2003), also known as Chichuan (奇川), was a contemporary Taiwanese calligraphy artist. Renowned for his simple and elegant calligraphy style, he later earned acclaim for pioneering the "comprehensive style calligraphy" (綜體書). In 1980, he founded the "Hong-Dao Calligraphy Association", dedicated to the promotion and enrichment of the art of calligraphy.

Biography

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Born in 1917 in Fengshun, Guangdong, CHEN Chi-chuan embarked on his calligraphy journey at a tender age. Under the tutelage of Chaozhou scholar GUO Zhaoting, he delved into OUYANG Xun's regular script and found inspiration from ZHAN Antai and WANG Xianzhao, instructors at Hanshan Normal University, when he turned 18. This pivotal moment marked the commencement of his illustrious calligraphy career. CHEN dedicated himself to the extensive study of various calligraphic styles, embracing seal script, clerical script, regular script, cursive script and Northern Wei stele calligraphy. He also immersed himself in the exploration of oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.[1] After turning 70, he pioneered the "comprehensive style", seamlessly integrating seal, clerical, regular, cursive, and semi-cursive scripts.[2]

During the Sino-Japanese War, CHEN served in the military, holding positions such as Navy Colonel and Secretary of the Command Headquarters.[3][4] In 1958, he transferred to the News Department and later held positions such as Chief Secretary of the News Department, Special Commissioner of the Provincial Government, and Senior Executive Officers to the President. Despite his public service, he continued his calligraphy pursuits. In 1962, he organised the "Taiwan Provincial Government Colleague Calligraphy Research Society" (臺灣省政府同仁書法研究會), imparting the art of calligraphy to his colleagues. In 1963, he co-founded the "Eight Companions Calligraphy Society" (八儔書會) alongside MA Shau-wen, GAU Bai-shr, YOU Guang-xian, and SHIE Tzung-an. In 1980, he established the "Hong-Dao Calligraphy Society" (now the Chung-Hua Hong-Dao Calligraphy Association) to promote calligraphy art and nurturing budding calligraphers.[2] Beyond his creative and teaching endeavours, CHEN delivered speeches at prestigious institutions like the University of Warsaw, Peking University and Shantou University, championing the cause of traditional art.[5] CHEN Chi-chuan served as the Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphy Society[6], a calligraphy professor at Donghai University, and a judging committee member for the Calligraphy Division of the Provincial Art Exhibition.[7] His contributions also include several books about Chinese calligraphy, such as The Origin of Chinese Characters.

In 2003, CHEN Chi-chuan passed away in Taichung, Taiwan. [1]His legacy endures through the generous donation of 450 of his lifelong works by his family to the Art Center of National Chung Hsing University, where the "Chen Chi-Chuan Memorial Room" stands as a testament to preserve and showcase his timeless artworks.[8][9]

Calligraphy Style

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CHEN Chi-chuan's calligraphy encompasses a diverse array of script styles, characterised by an overarching simplicity and elegance. His emulation of oracle bone and bronze scripts manifests in powerful and robust strokes, often presented in the form of couplets and idylls. Drawing inspiration from the Stele on Vessels of Rites (禮器碑), his clerical script harmoniously blends the strength and richness of the Yi Ying Stele (乙瑛碑) and the Shi Chen Stele (史晨碑), enhanced by his distinctive trembling brushwork. His running script, influenced by WANG Xizhi and WANG Xianzhi, flows naturally and splendidly on paper, evolving in his later years into a tidy style reminiscent of Northern Wei stele calligraphy. Upon reaching the age of 70, driven by his adeptness in various script styles, he ingeniously amalgamated seal, clerical, cursive, regular and running scripts, birthing the revolutionary "comprehensive style calligraphy" that underscores the harmonious interplay between distinct script styles.[10][11][12]

CHEN emphasised that calligraphy primarily revolves around lines. Although lacking a fixed form, he adhered to certain principles such as "consistent composition, coordinated style and balance". In his view, mastery of these principles not only allows for creative freedom but also encourages innovation within established script styles. [13]He considered the most invaluable aspect of calligraphy to be the artist's expression of knowledge and character, prioritising these qualities over exceptional technical skills.[14]

Major Works

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CHEN Chi-chuan's major works include[2]:

- The Origin of Chinese Characters, 1957, Hong Kong: 人文藝苑.

- "中國書法槪要”, 1969, Taipei City: 中國美術出版社.

- "中國的書法”, 1974, Taichung City: News Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.

References

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  1. ^ a b 天璣, 樊 (2003-12-16). "書法家陳其銓病逝 遺孀將捐贈部分遺作 並舉行遺作巡迴展". 民生報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 民生報.
  2. ^ a b c 陳欽忠 (2006). 台灣藝術經典大系書法藝術卷2 風規器勢‧當代典範. 臺北: 藝術家出版社. pp. 98–101. ISBN 986-7487-75-3.
  3. ^ 邱傑 (1998-11-27). "寶島人物 陳其銓七十載與筆墨為伍". 聯合報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 聯合報系.
  4. ^ "省新聞處 主秘易人". 聯合報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 聯合報系. 1960-08-23.
  5. ^ 陳欽忠 (2010). "〈陳其銓闡揚書道的統系〉". 《陳丁奇先生百歲紀念:二十世紀台灣書法發展回顧學術研討會論文集》. 臺北: 國立臺灣藝術大學. p. 279. ISBN 9789860235920.
  6. ^ "陳其銓". 中國書法學會 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  7. ^ "臺灣美術知識庫_陳其銓". 臺灣美術知識庫. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  8. ^ "陳其銓教授家屬捐贈墨寶四百五十件". 中興大學藝術中心 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 2023-04-14. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  9. ^ "陳其銓書道紀念室". 中興大學藝術中心 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  10. ^ 李弘正 (2009-06-01). "陳其銓綜體書法研究". 書畫藝術學刊 (6). 國立臺灣藝術大學: 259–289. doi:10.29831/TDPC.200906.0014. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-04-11 – via Airiti Library.
  11. ^ 張致苾 (2018-12-01). "陳其銓書法的傳統與新變析論". 應用語文學報 (8). 國立臺中科技大學語文學院: 23–38. doi:10.6906/JAL.201812_(8).0002. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-04-12 – via Airiti Library.
  12. ^ 張致苾 (2005-12-01). "陳其銓教授書道觀". 人文社會學報 (4). 國立臺中技術學院通識教育中心: 45–64. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-03-29 – via Airiti Library.
  13. ^ 陳欽忠 (2006). 台灣藝術經典大系書法藝術卷2 風規器勢‧當代典範. 臺北市: 藝術家出版社. pp. 98–101. ISBN 986-7487-75-3.
  14. ^ 陳其銓 (1962-02-09). "中國書法的藝術意境". 聯合報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 聯合報.