Richard Wang, a resident of Niskayuna, uses his brush to create Chinese calligraphy that reflects his emotions at the moment, whether it’s joy or anger.
“The essence of Chinese calligraphy lies in the expression of feelings. When you’re in a good mood, your writing reflects that. Similarly, when you’re upset, your writing mirrors your anger,” Wang explained.
Wang is introducing this art form to the Capital Region through an exhibition at the teen center at the William K. Sanford Library, scheduled for September. His project, “From Breath to Brush: Finding the Heart of ShuFa,” also includes live demonstrations and workshops at local community centers.
Wang’s fascination with calligraphy began in his childhood in China, inspired by the couplets that families displayed on bright red paper around their doors during Chinese New Year. Despite calligraphy lessons typically starting in middle school, Wang was eager to learn earlier.
Wang has been practicing calligraphy for about 40 years, even after relocating to the United States three decades ago. Employed by the New York State Department of Education, Wang is proficient in six different styles of Chinese calligraphy. His Niskayuna home is adorned with his elaborate poems about various topics, from family life to the city of Albany.
Wang uses ink that he grinds himself in beautifully carved ink stones. His hand hovers over the xuan paper, visualizing the next stroke. His brush strokes are swift yet deliberate, each one carrying a purpose.
For Wang, calligraphy is not just an art form, but also a form of meditation.
“Writing words and writing calligraphy are two different things. One of the reasons I advocate for learning calligraphy is its health benefits,” Wang said.
He noted that in China, those who practice calligraphy tend to have longer lives.
“There’s a reason for this. Writing is akin to meditating. It helps clear your mind. When you’re writing, your entire focus is on the stroke you’re making,” Wang explained.
About a decade ago, Wang started showcasing his skills at local multicultural festivals and events, writing attendees’ names in Chinese calligraphy. It was well-received.
“I started this as a hobby. I didn’t realize people would like it so much,” Wang said.
He carefully chooses characters with multiple meanings to write each person’s name, after they’ve spelled out their name in English.
While writing is quick, translating takes a bit longer.
“Writing doesn’t take much time, but translating does. I have to choose words with positive meanings for their names. That takes a bit of time,” Wang said.
Wang’s art form caught the attention of the community, and he started teaching at the Chinese Community Center in Latham. With “From Breath to Brush,” funded by a $10,000 grant from the Arts Center of the Capital Region, he aims to reach a wider audience.
“I realized that not many people are familiar with Chinese calligraphy. They might have heard of calligraphy, but they don’t know what good calligraphy really is. So, I want to provide some examples,” Wang said.
As part of the grant, he’s collaborating with bilingual project colleague Janet Carmosky. They plan to schedule demonstrations at community centers and libraries in Troy, Albany, and Schenectady, inviting fellow artists to join.
The Sanford Library exhibit, running from Sept. 6-30, will feature a video on Wang’s practice and examples of his work.
The exhibit emphasizes the layered process of choosing a word and writing it, from the chosen word to breath, from breath to brush, and how it is a form of moving meditation.
According to Wang, calligraphy can also be a tool for managing emotions.
“I have advised some of my students to write a few words when they’re angry. After writing for a few minutes, they find themselves calmer,” Wang said.
Besides the health benefits, Wang hopes to share the beauty of Chinese calligraphy and make it more accessible.
“Even after painting thousands of names and seeing countless happy faces, I continue to dream of making the practice of calligraphy more accessible,” Wang wrote in his artist statement.
For updates and information, visit earthshotproject.org or @__earthshot__ on Instagram.
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Disagree – Chinese calligraphy should be preserved in its traditional form, not simplified for everyone.
Agree – Making Chinese calligraphy more accessible to everyone can help preserve this beautiful art form for future generations.
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