Curator’s Message
The Power of Chinese Characters
China is the only country in the world that has, for thousands of years, continuously used writing 書寫 (editor’s note: the Chinese term 書寫 is loosely translated to “Writing” here, however, the meaning of 書寫 in Chinese encompasses not only writing, but also calligraphy, painting and more) as a means to express emotions, embody the spirit of the times, and showcase both artistic expression and visions of the future.
Hong Kong is a place where traditional Chinese culture is remarkably well-preserved. Its rich cultural heritage is evident in every corner of the city, allowing visitors from all over the world to experience it first-hand — from Taoist traditions to the abundance of calligraphic shop signs that line the streets. I believe it is precisely because of the profound depth, inclusiveness, and confidence inherent in Chinese culture that various global cultures, when arriving in Hong Kong, gradually merge into what we now recognize as the city’s unique “Hong Kong-style” culture.
I moved to Hong Kong in the early 1980s. What captivated me most were the calligraphy signs on the streets. The wide variety of calligraphic styles, each storefront with its own unique flair, formed artistic oases amid the cold concrete jungle. Among them were works inspired by great figures like Cai Yuanpei, Yu Youren, Zhang Daqian, Qi Gong, and Huang Miaozi. Even more notably, there have been countless local masters in Hong Kong: Deng Erya, Deng Fen, Au Kin-kung, Chan Man-kit, Jao Tsung-i, and many more.
The exhibition “The Power of Chinese Characters”, organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association (HKL&A), in association with the China Artists Association Hong Kong Chapter, and in collaboration with the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is one of the projects under the second “Chinese Culture Festival” in Hong Kong. It aims not only to promote traditional Chinese cultural arts but also to encourage the spirit of innovation — using art to tell the stories of Hong Kong.
As a cosmopolitan city that blends Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong is inclusive, diverse, open, and free. Here, many individuals are passionate about Chinese calligraphy, and many pursue the art of writing. They use a variety of artistic materials to express their emotions through writing, showcasing the compelling evolution of the writing arts.
To fully reflect the development of writing in Hong Kong, we invited sixty distinguished individuals from various professional fields to participate in “The Power of Chinese Characters”. These include sociologists, educators, writers, university professors, scholars, doctors, poets, cartoonists, entrepreneurs, collectors, designers, theatre directors, painters, calligraphers, and seal carving artists. These individuals not only excel in their respective fields — some of them are internationally renowned — but they also share a love for writing and continue to explore the art form with great passion. Among them are also seasoned professional artists whose works strongly reflect the times, embody Hong Kong’s unique characteristics, and achieve remarkable excellence. For them, writing is a source of joy and empowerment. Through this exhibition, we hope to share that same power of writing with a wider audience.
From the ancient oracle bone script to seal, clerical, standard, semi-cursive, and cursive scripts, countless writing works have been passed down through history — like stars scattered across the universe, illuminating our present. As we walk in the footsteps of those before us, should we not, like our predecessors, also strive to create masterpieces that represent the spirit of our time?
Let us join hands in creating a new era of brilliance in Chinese writing arts that will shine for generations to come.
LAM Tian-xing
Curator
Executive Vice Chairman, HKL&A
Chairman, China Artists Association Hong Kong Chapter
Chairman, The Hong Kong Artists Association
Member, National Committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
Council Member, China Artists Association
June 2025
Associate Curator’s Message
The Power of the Brush Tip
In the grand tapestry of Chinese art, a simple bamboo brush carries a cultural weight far beyond its physical form. The brush is not merely a tool — it is a medium of unparalleled artistic expression. The moment its tip touches paper, it connects with a thousand-year legacy of literary and artistic tradition. The power it generates on the page is not one of brute force, but the immense strength of artistic expression.
In calligraphy and painting, the brush’s strength is first revealed in the infinite variations of its strokes. With lifts, presses, pauses, and turns, it can produce lines as firm as iron or as fluid as drifting clouds. More remarkably, this traditional instrument of Chinese art has become an extension of the Chinese people’s spiritual life — every stroke is a condensation and projection of the artist’s inner world. The mountains and valleys of the mind, the breadth of one’s spirit, are all laid bare. The brush’s power unfolds in the gradations of ink and the rhythm of lines, each movement bearing the weight of profound thought. And within the ink itself, modulated by water, lies an endless spectrum of depth. The “five shades of ink”— thick, light, dry, wet — create boundless dimensions of space and artistic conception.
“The Power of Chinese Characters” has brought together Hong Kong’s most renowned calligraphers, painters, writers, and designers to participate in its exhibition. The finest talents across these artistic disciplines will give their all, and I have no doubt that “The Power of Chinese Characters” will bring delightful surprises to Hong Kong’s art scene. Let us wait and witness its impact.
YUNG Ho-yin
Associate Curator
Council Member, China Calligraphers Association
June 2025
Associate Curator’s Message
The Temporal Pulse of Hong Kong’s Art Scene
“The Power of Chinese Characters” exhibition, organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association (HKL&A) and in association with the China Artists Association Hong Kong Chapter is a key highlight of the “Chinese Culture Festival” presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong.
At first glance, “The Power of Chinese Characters 書寫的力量” appears to be an elegant gathering steeped in the fragrance of ink —
a celebration of calligraphy. Yet, when one looks beyond the surface of the term “書寫”, the profound essence of Chinese painting reveals itself: the timeless truth of integrating calligraphy into painting, capturing spirit with brushstrokes, and expressing emotions through ink. The word “power” resonates like the striking of metal and stone, infusing modernity into tradition and breathing dynamic energy into the inheritance of Chinese cultural heritage, paving the way for new horizons.
The “power” at the heart of this exhibition stems from the bold innovation and exploration of Hong Kong’s diverse art scene amid the torrents of time. Hong Kong painting has never been confined to antiquity; instead, it embodies the wisdom of “seeking change through tradition.” Artists here devoutly absorb the enduring charm of classical ink wash while fearlessly experimenting with new visual languages — reconstructing the poetic essence of landscapes with contemporary strokes or blending abstract concepts to redefine ink art. In this city, tradition is not a stagnant burden but a springboard into the future; innovation is not rootless drifting duckweed but blossoms firmly grounded in cultural heritage. These artists have expanded the aesthetic dimensions of Chinese painting while unleashing its vibrant vitality in a modern context, allowing an ancient art form to radiate unprecedented contemporary brilliance.
The deeper, greater force of “The Power of Chinese Characters” lies in its role in advancing Hong Kong’s vision as an international hub for cultural and artistic exchange. With its unique position as a global free port with an open-minded spirit, Hong Kong is naturally entrusted with the mission of bridging East and West. This exhibition serves as a flowing bridge — on one end, it passionately conveys the profundity of Chinese culture, while on the other, it actively embraces the diverse essence of global art. Standing at the crossroads of East and West, Hong Kong safeguards its traditional roots while extending the branches of innovation. Its significance extends far beyond a mere display in a specific time and place; it is about disseminating the finest aspects of Chinese culture through this dynamic window to a broader world. Simultaneously, with the wisdom of an ocean embracing water from hundreds of rivers, it takes in and welcomes the essence of Western art, facilitating the colliding of different ideas across all regions generating new life of creativity.
“The Power of Chinese Characters” is not merely about ink traces on rice paper — it is a manifesto inscribed by Hong Kong’s art community with boundless creativity upon the scroll of time. It vividly demonstrates that when Hong Kong embraces its traditional roots and modern transformations with openness and inclusivity, when it stands firm in its local identity while integrating global influences, its power to drive the creative evolution and innovative development of Chinese culture becomes unstoppable, like a surging river. This is not only Hong Kong’s unique contribution to the great cause of national rejuvenation but also the profound and confident eternal pulse of Chinese art as it faces the world.
ZHAO Zhijun
Associate Curator
Council Member and Chairman of Visual Arts Group of Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Executive Vice Chairman, The Hong Kong Artists Association
June 2025
