The Chinese Civilisation Centre of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is hosting an exhibition, entitled “Arts of the Chinese Brush: Exhibition of Calligraphy by Invited Artists”, showcasing masterpieces from Mr Fong Chi-yung, Mr Ng Ko-shek, Mr Chan Mong-biu and Mr Hui Shuet-ming.

The opening ceremony on 12 March was officiated by Professor Chen Yongzheng, Vice-chairman of China Calligraphers Association, Professor Zhang Guigang, Board Director of China Calligraphers Association, Professor Zhang Huaqing, Chairman of Chinese Association of Hardpen Calligraphy, Mr Chan Mong-biu, President of Hong Kong Calligraphers Association, and Professor Cheng Pei-kai, Director of the Chinese Civilisation Centre.

Professor Cheng described Chinese calligraphy as an artform that can cultivate an individual’s personality and enhance his or her cultural qualities. The masterpieces displayed in the exhibition include diverse styles such as kaishu (standard script), xingshu (semi-cursive script), zhuanshu (seal script) and dashu (running script) by the four artists who are core members of Hong Kong Calligraphers Association.

Mr Fong is currently a member of the China Calligraphers Association and Chairman of the Hong Kong Calligraphers Association. His artworks have been selected and displayed at the sixth, seventh and ninth National Calligraphy and Seal Cutting Exhibitions and the first National Couplet Calligraphy Exhibition. Mr Fong received the Gold Award in the calligraphy category at the Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Art Exhibition in 2000 and the First-class Award in Guangdong’s Calligraphy and Seal Cutting for Young and Middle-Aged Artists in October of the same year. His artworks have been housed by various art galleries.

Vice-chairman of Hong Kong Calligraphers Association, Mr Ng claimed the championship in the open category in a Hong Kong Chinese Calligraphy Competition in 2003. With his artworks shown at the fourth National Calligraphy Exhibition in 2005, he held his personal exhibition of calligraphy and seal cutting at Hong Kong City Hall in 2006.

With a passion for art and calligraphy since childhood, Mr Chan is now President of the Hong Kong Calligraphers Association, member of the Guangdong Calligraphers Association and Executive Council Member of the Hong Kong Chinese Art Club. Mr Chan has served as the chief adjudicator for various local calligraphy competitions over the years and has been invited to take part in exhibitions held on the mainland and overseas.

Mr Hui learned calligraphy and seal cutting from a renowned artist at the age of 18. In 1993, he represented the Yau Ma Tei and Tsim Sha Tsui Culture and Arts Association to present his shouchinti (slender gold style) calligraphy artwork to Sir David Wilson, the former Hong Kong Governor. Mr Hui has won a calligraphy championship competition and was selected as the outstanding young and middle-aged artist of hardpen calligraphy in China. Having taken part in many exhibitions, he is currently Chairman of the Hong Kong Art and Hardpen Calligraphy Association and a Council Member of the Chinese Association of Hardpen Calligraphy.

The exhibition “Arts of the Chinese Brush: Exhibition of Calligraphy by Invited Artists” is being held at CityU Gallery, 6/F, Amenities Building, CityU, from 13 March to 25 April, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. For more details, please contact CityU’s Chinese Civilisation Centre on 3442 2477.