THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

LIBRARIES

Hong Kong Collectiongift from

Mr. Lawrence C.S. Tarn

FOREWORD

DATE REC'D I

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AUTHOR NO.

REBOUND

For many years, poetry and prose in China havealways been interwoven with calligraphy and painting. Inthe first chapter of Cao Pi's 'On Standard Scholarship' itwas stated, "What is of the greatest importance inliterature is the 'Great Vital Breath' " and, the first rule ofXie He's 'Six Principles of Painting' was "Vital Breath andRhythm produce movement ";Su Shi of later days made iteven more explicit by saying, "In a poem exists a painting,in a painting exists a poem." Although this remark wasmade in praise of the poet Wang Wei, it was an importantinsight in itself.

Throughout the different dynasties there were countlesswriters in China who were also excellent calligraphersand painters. Browsing through the list of artists whoseworks are on display in this exhibition Calligraphy andPaintings by Contemporary Chinese Writers, it is notdifficult to find contemporary writers whose names arefamiliar to readers in Hong Kong and overseas. Theyinclude both experienced writers as well as writers whohave just begun to find their niche in the literary world. Allthe artists are better known as writers, poets, critics ortranslators, and their talent is displayed in variousoutstanding literary works. However, most people do notknow that they are also skilful calligraphers and paintersin their own right. Now, through this exhibition, we areable to appreciate the other side of their talent as well. Wecannot help but gasp at the versatility or ability ofcontemporary Chinese writers. Owing to the fact that theyare writers by profession, their style and taste are uniqueand are naturally different to those whose sole medium ofexpression is painting, yet some of the works on exhibitare quite comparable in quality to classical Chinesepaintings and calligraphy.

This exhibition is jointly presented by the Hong Kong ArtsCentre, the Joint Publishing Co. (Hong Kong branch) andFlower City Publishing House. Not only will thismeaningful exhibition promote the appreciation of worksby contemporary Chinese Writers, it is also hoped that itwill promote the interflow of culture and art betweenChina, Hong Kong and other foreign countries. We aremost grateful to the 42 writers/artists for making theexhibition possible.

Hong Kong Arts Centre,Joint Publishing Co. (Hong Kong Branch) andFlower City Publishing House

BEIJING Zhao Qingge (b. 1914)Zhao was born in the city of Xinyang, Henan Province in1914. At 15; she went to Kaifeng and studied painting andmusic in the College of Art there. At the same time, she alsobegan to publish prose and poetry. Later, she entered theAcademy of Art and furthered her studies in painting.Zhao has been a magazine editor and film script writer. In1979, she joined the Literature Study Centre of theShanghai Social Sciences College doing research onclassical literature.

1 PaintingAutumn in JiangnanSpring, 197659 x 27 cm

Guan Hua (b 1921)Real name Bao Huapu. A native of Fengrun County ofHebei Province. Guan has been a reporter, a literatureresearcher and a composer with the Central Orchestra. Heis also one of the first members of the Chinese WritersAssociation. At present he is the vice-chairman of theBeijing City Writers Association, chief editor of the'Oriental Youth', a committee member of the 5th and 6thNational Political Association and a member of the BeijingCity Art Association.

2 PaintingBamboo (in ink)Autumn, 1983140 x 69 cm

Li Kan (b. 1922)Li Kan is a native of Benxi in Liaoning Province. Between1945 and 1958, he was actively engaged in promotingculture and art. Since 1958, he has been deputy head ofthe editors' office, assistant chief editor and chief editorwith Zhong Hua Book Co. Li spends his spare time oncarrying out research in modern Chinese history. He alsopublishes free style essays under the pen-name of Ke An.He is currently the chief secretary of the Chinese HistoryStudies Society Standing Committee.

3 CalligraphyThe Country is Filled with Calligraphy and LearningAutumn, 198369 x 40 cm

Zhou ErfuBorn in Nanjing, Zhou Erfu's native county is Jingde inAnhui Province. He attended university in Shanghai in the1930s where he also started writing poetry and novels.Formerly a magazine material collector and editor, he isnow deputy head of the Culture Department ForeignCultural Exchange Committee, vice-president of theForeign Friendship Association and vice-chairman of theChinese Calligraphers Association.

4 CalligraphyRead Cliff (to the Tune of Pusaman) by Su DongpoNovember, 198270 x 47 cm

Cao Qinghua (b. 1897)Real name Cao Lianya, a native of Henan Province. In theearly 1920s, he was sent to study in the Oriental Universityin Moscow, USSR. In the 1930s, he taught in universities inboth the USSR and China. He has also been an editor. Hehas translated a large amount of Russian literature and isalso involved in creative writing.

5 CalligraphyPoem by Lu Xun198334 x 34 cm

Lin Lin (b. 1910)Real name Lin Yangshan. A native of Shaoan County,Fujian Province. Lin Lin studied in Japan in the early1930s. He has published collections of poetry and has alsotranslated Japanese literature. He writes poetry, lyrics andessays in his free time. At present he is vice-president ofthe Chinese People Foreign Friendship Association, GuoMoruo Study Society, and Chiense CalligraphersAssociation. He is also a director of the Chinese WritersAssociation.

6 CalligraphyLook DownOctober, 198368 x 32 cm

Liao Mosha (b. 1907)Real name Liao Jiaquan. A native of Hunan. Liao beganpublishing essays and prose in newspapers in Shanghaiin the 1930s. He was deputy director of the Beijing CityCommittee Propaganda Department and director of theEducation Department. Since 1979, he has been acommittee member of the National Political Associationand vice-chairman of the Beijing City Political Association.

7 CalligraphyAn Old Work "Self Ridicule"October, 198346 x 70 cm

Zang Kejia (b. 1905)Born in Shandong Province in 1905, Zang has been ateacher, researcher and editor. He has also been a directorand secretary of the Writers Association as well as arepresentative of the 2nd and 3rd People's Congress. Atpresent he is a committee member of the CulturalAssociation, a consultant of the Writers Association andthe journal 'Poetry', a standing committee member of theNational Political Association and president of theChinese Writers Society. Zang has published over 50poetry collections and is an ardent lover of calligraphy.

8 CalligraphyReturn, my Flame of YouthAutumn, 198369 x 29 cm

Tang Tao (b. 1913)Alias Duanyi, a native of Zhenhai in Zhejiang Province.Tang is a critic, literature historian and an expert in thestudy of Luxun. He has been the editor of several literarypublications and a professor in the Shanghai School ofDrama and Fu Dan University. He is currently a researcherin the Literature Study Centre of the Chinese SocialSciences College, director of the Chinese WritersAssociation and a committee member of the 6th NationalChinese People Political Consultation Meeting.

9 CalligraphyPoem: Mountain CityAutumn 198368 x 32 cm

Duan Mu Hong Liang (b. 1912)Real name Cao Jingben. Born in Liaoning Province. As ayoung man studying in Qinghua University, he wasalready actively involved in literary writing. He has been amagazine editor in Hong Kong and is also an active novelwriter, Beijing opera script writer and opera critic. Hepractises calligraphy and paints in his spare time. He ispresently vice-chairman of the Beijing City WritersAssociation.

10 CalligraphySilkwormAutumn, 198345 x 35 cm

11 CalligraphyTears congeal in Woe and Sorrow, wild Singing fills theCity of Jinling198353 x 35 cm

12 PaintingFish198369 x 34 cm

13 PaintingLotus (in ink)198369 x 35 cm

14 PaintingGourd198369 x 35 cm

Shen Congwen (b. 1903)Real name Shen Yuehuan. A native of Hunan. Shen startedpublishing his works in magazines and newspapers inBeijing since 1926. An experienced writer and teacher,Shen is a perceptive and shrewd literary critic and he isalso a prolific writer. He has worked with the ChineseMuseum of History, Palace Museum and the History StudyCentre of the Chinese Social Sciences College.

15 CalligraphyPoem by Du FuWinter, 198297 x 25.5 cm

Xin Fengxia (b. 1929)Though a native of Suzhou, Xin was born in Tianjin.Formerly a Beijing opera actor; she learned painting fromfamous painter Qi Baishi in the 1950s. She has acted in anumber of films and at present she is the art consultant ofthe film 'Roaming Between Heaven and Earth' in whichshe also plays a part.

16 PaintingOld Mate198269 x 34 cmNote: Painting by Xin Fengxia, Inscription by Wu Zuguang

Wu Zuguang (b. 1917)Wu was born in Jiangxu Province. He once worked as aneditor for a magazine but later became a screenwriter anddirector at the Central Film Bureau and the Beijing FilmStudio. The Experimental Beijing Opera Troupe of theChinese Opera Academy once appointed him playwright.Wu is currently playwright of the Beijing Opera Troupe inBeijing. He also writes essay and drama. From 1947 to1964, he directed a total of eleven films.

Ai Qing (b. 1910)Born in Zhejiang, Ai Qing's real name is Jiang Haicheng. Hegraduated from junior secondary school in 1928 and thenentered the Painting Faculty of the National Xihu Academyof Art. In the following year, he went to Paris, France tostudy painting and started writing poetry a few years later.After the liberation, he joined the Military ControlCommittee taking over the Central Academy of Art. He hasbeen a committee member of the Chinese National ArtAssociation, director of the Chinese Writers Associationand Chinese Artists Association, as well as assistant chiefeditor of "People's Literature". At present he is acommittee member of the board of editors of 'Poetry'.

17 CalligraphySpring in Purples and Reds198368 x 46 cm

Xiao Jun (b. 1907)Real name Liu Honglin, a native of Liaoning Province. Hestarted literary writing in 1932. In the past 50 years, he hasbeen a newspaper and magazine editor, reporter, univer-sity lecturer, publisher and researcher. He is currently acommittee member of the Chinese Literature Association,director of the Chinese Writers Association and vice-chairman of the Beijing City Writers Association.

18 CalligraphyOde to the Picture of Tiger and MoonHis roaring scares the mountains and the animals.In the deepening shades of duskAlone he strolls, towards the hazy moonlight.He is hungry and cold,His energy dissipated,His ambition waning,Yet he never allows himself to wag his tail in front of others.December, 1983130 x 62 cm

Kong Luosun (b. 1912)Kong Luosun is the pseudonym of Kong Fanyan who is aShanghainese born in Jinan. He first published his worksin Harbin in 1928. He has been engaged in editorial workand is now a standing secretary of the Chinese WritersAssociation; head of the Modern Chinese Literature StudyCentre and chief editor of 'Art Journal'.

TIANJIN Fang Ji (b. 1919)Real name Feng Ji, a native of Donglu County in HebeiProvince. He has been involved in writing, reporting andeditorial work. He has also been a secretary for variousliterary associations, chairman of the Chinese WritersAssociation Tianjin Branch and director of the Tianjin CityCulture Department. He was elected a committeemember of the Chinese Literature Society and director ofthe National Writers Association in the 4th NationalGeneral Meeting of Writers and Artists.

Sun Li (b. 1913)Real name Sun Shuxun, a native of Anping County, HebeiProvince. He has been an art teacher, reporter and editorwith the Jizhong military School, Jin Cha Ji News Agency,United Hua Bei University, Jin Cha Ji Literary Association,Luxun Academy of Art and Jin Ri Press. He startedprofessing in creative writing in 1945.

19 CalligraphyPoem by Li PoDecember 198368 x 44 cm

20 CalligraphyPoem by Chen YiDecember 198360 x 60 cm

21 CalligraphyFang Ji Copying Paintings of Su Dongpo, Wang Wei andWu Daozi198395 x 60 cm

22 CalligraphyPersistence198334 x 88 cm

23 CalligraphyThe Ferry-boat Moves as though Someone was PullingAutumn 198368 x 45 cm

Feng Jicai (b. 1942)A native of Cixi County in ZheJiang Province born inTianjin. He joined the Tianjin City Chinese Painting Groupand made a living by copying paintings in the Song andYuan dynasties. At the same time, he was also an art critic.He started writing in 1975. He is currently vice-chairman ofthe Chinese Writers Association Tianjin Branch, theTianjin Literary Society and the Chinese Folk Art StudyCentre Tianjin Branch, as well as a committee member ofthe National Political Association and a member of theChinese Democracy Promotion Society.

24 PaintingOn the River197948 x 48 cm

25 PaintingLotus197949 x 66 cm

26 PaintingForest197963 x 65 cm

HEBEI Tian Jian (b 1916)Tian Jian was born in Anhui Province. In 1933, he enteredthe Shanghai Granghua University. He was involved ineditorial work before he became a wartime correspondent.In 1949 when the National Cultural Association wasfounded; he was appointed member of the CreativeWriting Section. He was again appointed chairman of theAssociation's Hebei Branch in 1958. His published worksinclude poetry; novels and essays.

27 CalligraphyBeautiful is the Country197617 x 110 cm

Xu YuXu Yu; now 41, is a poet and calligrapher. In 1968 hegraduated from the Hebei University located in hishometown. His literany career began in the early 1960s.Though devoted to creative writing, he has never given uppractising calligraphy and is especially good at cursiveand running scripts. He is a member of the ChineseWriters Association and the Chinese CalligraphersAssociation. He is currently editor of the guangdongCultural Association.

28 CalligraphyLeisureAutumn 1983102 x 37 cm

SHANGHAI Chen Congzhou (b. 1918)Born in 1918 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Chengraduated from the Hangzhou Sanjiang University in 1942and has been engaged in education work since. He is arenowned expert on ancient Chinese architecture andgardens. In his earlier years, he was a keen scholar ofliterature history but later he shifted to the study ofancient architecture. A favourite student of famouspainter Zhang Daiqian, he is also a calligrapher andpainter. Chen is currently a professor of architecture inthe University of Tongji in Shanghai, a professionalconsultant on gardens as well as a committee memberand advisor of various associations of art, architecture andgardens.

29 CalligraphySelf InscriptionAutumn 198398 x 23 cm

30 PaintingBambooAutumn 1983140 x 44 cm

Wu Qiang (b. 1910)A native of Lianshui County in Jiangsu Province. Wu beganhis literary writing career at the start of the 1930s and hisworks include novels, essays and plays. He is at present acommittee member of the Chinese Literary Association,director of the Chinese Writers Association and vice-chairman of the Association's Shanghai Branch. He is alsoan ardent lover of calligraphy and Chinese chess 'GO'.

31 CalligraphyBut You Widen Your View Three Hundred Miles by GoingUp One Flight of StairsAutumn 198383 x 31 cm

Jun Qing (b. 1923)Born in Haiyang County of Shandong Province; Jun Qinghas developed an interest in painting since childhood. Heonce worked as a wartime correspondent for the NewChina News Agency (NCNA). In 1950, Jun joined theeditorial board of the Thongran People's Radio and in 1955became one of the leaders of the Shanghai CulturalAssociation and the Shanghai Writers Association; thelatter appointed him director in 1960.

32 PaintingAutumnSummer 198069 x 35 cm

33 PaintingRabbit FlowerSummer, 198034 x 46 cm

34 PaintingBeautiful Spring, Welcoming the East WindAutumn, 1983100 x 35 cm

Qian JuntaoA contemporary writer who also excels in Chinesepainting, calligraphy, seal carving and the mounting ofsuch works of art. In his early years, he modelled himselfafter many great masters but gradually developed a styleof his own. Now professor in Art Education at the East-China Teacher Training College, Qin holds importantposts in many cultural societies including the ShanghaiCultural Association, the Shanghai Branch of the ArtAssociation and the Calligraphers Association, ShanghaiBranch.

35 CalligraphyBeautiful SceneryAutumn 198370 x 46 cm

36 PaintingFlowers1983 Summer69 x 45 cm.

SHANDONG Song Xiezhou (b. 1927)A native of Shandong Province. Song has published anumber of poetry collections and is currently chief editorof "Liuchuan" — a major literary journal published inShandong — and vice-chairman of the Chinese WritersAssociation, Shandong Branch.

37 CalligraphyCoupletsAutumn 198370 x 34 cm

QINGHAI Lin Xichun (b. 1935)Lin Xichun, pseudonym Xi Chun, is a Fujianese born inHebei Province. He was admitted to the Beijing TeacherTraining College in 1954 where he studied at theDepartment of Chinese. After graduation, he became ahigh school teacher. His literary career began in 1970, andin 1981 he became an editor. Like many other men ofletters, Lin plays an active role in cultural activities. He iscurrently director of the Calligraphers Association andoffice-bearer of the Snow-lotus Poetry Club.

38 CalligraphyPoemAugust 198397 x 38 cm

Wang Du (b 1944)Born in Heilongjiang Province, Wang Du studied at an artacademy after graduation from high school. He startedwriting poetry in 1969 but painting remains his maininterest. He has exhibited in several exhibitions organisedby the National Art Association. He is a director of theChinese Writers Association; Qinghai Branch and nowworks at a packaging design and advertising company inQinghai.

39 Gouache PaintingGirl of Zang TribeSpring 198343.5 x 33.5 cm

40 Fammille Rose PaintingSelf PortraitMarch 198253.2 x 39.8 cm

NINGXIA Ge Wujiao (b. 1937)Ge was born in Zhejiang Province. In 1955, he entered theBeijing University where he studied at the Department ofChinese. Three years later he was transferred to theChinese People's University together with the journalismdivision of the Beijing University. After graduation, hejoined the "Ningxia Daily" where he has worked for 24years. He is now a writer by profession. 1961 saw thepublication of his first work and in 1980, he became amember of the Chinese Writers Association. Sports, music,art and calligraphy are his hobbies.

41 CalligraphyHigh Mountain Long RiverOctober 198369 x 37 cm

Yin Xu (b. 1942)A native of Shandorg Province, Yin Xu was admitted to theBeijing University in 1962 where he read Russian langnage.He started writing poetry for publication in 1974. He iscurrently director of the Ningxia Translators Society andmember of the Chinese Writers Association (NingxiaBranch) and the Ningxia Philosophy Society. He hasexhibited in several national calligraphy exhibitions. Atpresent, he is a reseacher in aesthetics at the NingxiaSocial Sciences College.

42 CalligraphyExhausting Ten Thousand Books, Writing like a Fairy God1983104 x 30 cm

HENAN Wang Shouqing (b. 1936)Real name Wang Yuxi. Wang is a native of Henan Province.He started writing poetry when he was at high school. In1957, he became a student of the Inner Mongolia Universitywhere he studied Chinese and then stayed on to teachafter graduation. In the 1970s he was attached to the JixianCultural Centre as well as the Culture and EducationBureau, occupying himself with creative writing. Wang is amember of the Chinese Writers Association and directorof the Association's Henan Branch.

43 CalligraphyPoem by Lu XunAugust 198340 x 20 cm

44 CalligraphyPoem by Wang Zhihuan198376 x 41 cm

Su Jinsan (b. 1906)Su was bom in Henan Province. He became interested inliterature during his childhood. His work was firstpubished in the 1930s and since then Su has beeninvolved in creative writing.

45 CalligraphyPoem: Homecoming after a Long TripSeptember 198285 x 31 cm

GUIZHOU Dai Mingxian (b. 1935)Dai was born in Guizhou. Since 1956, he has published anumber of literary works ranging from poetry and essaysto novels, film-scripts and drama. Besides being a prolificwriter, Dai is an ardent lover of Calligraphy and seal-carving and has exhibited in many national and overseasexhibitions. He now works at the Guiyang Literature andArt Association. He is also a member of the ChineseWriters Association and the Chinese CalligraphersAssociation.

46 CalligraphyLeaves are Dropping down like the Spray of a Waterfall,while I Watch the long River always Rolling on.1983124 x 33 cm

Gu WenguangGu, now 42, is a native of Shanghai. He became a teacher in1959 after graduation from senior high school. In 1977, hebegan writing historic novels. He is also fond of painting.

47 PaintingDragon Gate on Xishan MountainMay 197046 x 32 cm

48 PaintingLoquats1983140 x 40 cm

49 PaintingGrapes1983140 x 40 cm

XINJIANG Lin YOUWU (b 1913)

Liu was born in Beijing. He received his early education ina traditional family school and later became an apprentice.Liu once studied at the Resistance Against Japan Civil andMilitary University. At wartime, he moved to the XinjiangProvince with the army and by now has lived there for 34years. He is retired and is currently HonourableChairman of the Xinjiang Cultural Association.

50 CalligraphyLaughter rings from Hundreds and Thousands of Homes70 x 140 cm

FUJIAN Guo Feng (b 1919)A Fu jianese whose real name is Guo Jiagui. He is currentlyvice-chairman of the Fujian Cultural Association, directorof the Chinese Writers Association and chairman of theAssociation's Fujian Branch.

51 CalligraphyCouplets:The pool of ink is as thick as the dew on the flowers; Thefragrance of tea hangs amongst clouds beyond thebamboos.1983140 x 35 cm

GUANGXI Sha Hong (b. 1925)Sha Hong is the pseudonym of Qin Zhengyi who is a nativeof the Guangxi Province where the people of the Zhuangnationality reside. He attended university in his hometownbut was forced to drop out after 3 months because ofpoverty. Later he devoted himself to writing poetry anddrama. His poetry was first published in the 1960s. He iscurrently a member of the Chinese Writers Associationand executive director of the Association's GuangxiBranch.

52 CalligraphyTruth, Goodness, and Beauty1983132 x 50 cm

Qin Shi (b. 1917)Qin is a poet and essayist but a professor (at GuangxiUniversity) by profession. He is chairman of the GuangxiWriters Association. In 1979 he visited Switzerland as amember of the Chinese Writers Delegation.

53 CalligraphyPoem written after travelling in Europe1983133 x 41 cm

GUANGZHOU Xie Jiayin (b. 1912)Xie was born in Guangzhou. He entered the University ofNational Revolution in Shanxi Province in 1937. Before hisretirement in 1973, he was a member of the ChineseWriters Association and the Chinese CalligraphersAssociation. Calligraphy in still one of his interests.

54 CalligraphyCouplets:Seeing good friends is like enjoying the moon,Reading good books is better than watching flowersWinter, 1983116 x 32 cm

Xiao YU (b 1927)Xiao Yu is the alias of Yu Zhonggu, Yu was born inShandong Province and has only received 5 years' formaleducation. Self-taught, he succeeded in becoming awriter. He has been appointed vice-chairman of theChinese Writers Association, Guangdong Branch.

55 CalligraphyGoing Up Lu Shan Mountsin1983140 x 70 cm

Liu Yisheng (b 1917)Real name Liu Ripo. a native of Guangdong Province; Linwas involved in journalistic work in his early years. He iscurrently director of the National Tang Dyrasty LiteratureSociety and Chinese Writers Association; GuangdongBranch. The "Yangcheng Evening Post" has also appointedhim Adviser.

56 CalligraphyAutumn Rain in Deep MountainsAutumn 198370 x 34 cm

Shang Chengzuo (b. 1902)When Shang was a little hoy, he had the ambition of 57becoming a palaeographist. As he grew up, he studiedpalaeography with the famous scholar Lo Zhengyu. Seal-carving and Calligraphy are his hobbies. Shang is nowprofessor in Chinese at the Zhongshan University and healso heads the University's palaeography research centre. 58

CalligraphyLyric by Su DongpoDecember 1983113 x 51 cm

CalligraphyA Man's Ambition towers,alove the EarthWinter 1983113 x 59 cm