Research-based Art Project

Kejun Song
Team 25
Chinese Calligraphy 

Artist Statement 
 
My key learning through this research on Chinese calligraphy are:  
❖ Calligraphy, also called the art of writing, is the visual art form prized 
above all others in traditional China. Although I was exposed to it since 
third-grade, I never knew that calligraphy enjoyed such an elevated status 
in Chinese culture and art. Given the importance(power) of the word in 
China, it is actually not hard to see that the art of writing Chinese words 
being highly prized.  
❖ The aesthetic potential of brush and ink is what makes the writing 
ultimately distinctive. The calligrapher can control the thickness of the ink 
by varying both the amount of water and the solid ink that is ground; and 
the hair brush, unlike a rigid instrument such as a stylus, allows for myriad 
possibilities. In the hand of a master, the brush becomes an extension of 
his arm, or his entire body. And his written words reveal the master himself 
- his impulsiveness, restraints, elegance, rebelliousness.  
❖ The Chinese written language began to develop more than 3,000 years ago 
and eventually evolved into five basic script types, all of which are still in 
use today. Chronically, the five styles are: Seal script, Clerical script, 
Cursive script, Running Script and Standard script.  
 
I chose this topic because I absolutely love it. And this research led me to realize 
why. For me, practicing calligraphy is meditational, educational and accessible.  
❖ Meditational: practicing calligraphy calls me to one of my identities: 
Chinese. I feel at home when I write the Chinese characters with a brush 
and am free to be myself.  
❖ Educational: I usually practice writing poems or exempts from Chinese 
literacy. Since the writing is slow paced, I have a good amount of time to 
recite those poems or exempts. As a bonus, my child likes to observe me 
writing with a brush, and he learn Chinese this way.  
❖ Accessible: With simple set-up and tools, I can immediately dive into this 
art-making process. It's easy accessibility helps keep me going on and stick 
with it.   
Research-based Art Project
Kejun Song
Team 25
Research Sources 
 
I. Chinese Calligraphy: Aesthetics 
[source 1] 
“Chinese Calligraphy”, Dawn Delbanco, Department of Art History 
and Archaeology, Columbia University, April 2008 
 
[source 2] 
The MET Museum Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History - WORKS OF   
ART ​https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/ 
 
II. Chinese Calligraphy: Styles  
[source 3]  
5 Script Styles in Chinese Calligraphy 
http://www.columbia.edu/~xc2282/calligraphy/calligraphy.html 
 
[source 4]  
Decoding Chinese Calligraphy, Asian Art Museum 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRRiTo8sUwk 
 
III. Chinese Calligraphy: My Practice  
[source 5]