Cursive script poetry of the Dream of the Red Chamber

Author: Li Yingzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber is profound and vast, holding a position in the history of Chinese literature. It is a poetic masterpiece, where the smooth narration is infused with the fragrance of poetry, and the numerous poems, ci, fu, and couplets scattered throughout the book shine like pearls in the sea and stars in the sky. Among the over 300 poems, ci, fu, and couplets in the book, some express aspirations and reflect on the past, some emotions in response to events, some are composed on specific themes while others are on the same theme but from different perspectives, some are self-composed by the author, and some are written in the voice of the characters in the book. Regardless of the form or where they appear, they seamlessly blend with the plot and the characters' identities, achieving an flawless and harmonious effect. Li Yingzhi loves Dream of the Red Chamber, and he especially adores its poetry. In his spare time, he often seeks out these poems to read and reflect deeply, gaining insights into life. This inspired him to create works in the form of calligraphy. He selected over 120 poems and couplets, created cursive and semi-cursive calligraphy works, and introduced them to a wider audience, allowing more people to appreciate this great artistic classic and promoting the poetry of Dream of the Red Chamber on a broader scale. This is undoubtedly a great thing. Li Yingzhi has worked in government agencies for decades, holding leadership positions in the municipal government, the municipal committee, and the standing committee of the municipal people's congress. He has a steadfast passion for calligraphy, diligently practicing and refining his skills without slackening even amidst busy administrative duties. Over the years, he has diligently studied traditional calligraphy, delved into its roots, and practiced with both heart and hand, repeatedly contemplating and absorbing its essence, ultimately achieving remarkable success. His works have been exhibited multiple times and published in newspapers and magazines. In 2002, he won the gold medal in the China Senior Calligraphers and Painters Competition. He has also written Fifty Questions on the Basics of Calligraphy, with the title inscribed by Mr. Qi Gong, and it was officially published in August 2000. Yingzhi is particularly skilled in cursive and semi-cursive calligraphy, believing it allows him to better express his emotions. In this book, we can see the solemnity and grandeur of Yan's style, the elegance and grace of traditional calligraphy, and the boldness and freedom of Huai Su's style. At the same time, he finds his own voice within tradition, creating new interpretations and developing his own style. Yingzhi's calligraphy works pay great attention to brush techniques, excelling in central-thrust strokes while also using side-thrust strokes. The lines are concise, powerful, and natural, often reaching the mark with a single stroke. The brushwork is simple yet majestic, conveying his inner thoughts effortlessly. In terms of structure and layout, Yingzhi is exceptionally skilled. His compositions are steady, balanced, and harmonious, with well-coordinated brushwork that is both expansive and dynamic. His layout is rigorous yet fluid, natural yet aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, he emphasizes understanding calligraphy from a dialectical perspective, ensuring that his brush movements—such as lifting, pressing, stopping, and turning—are varied yet harmonious, with appropriate control over rhythm and speed, achieving a unified balance. Yingzhi's calligraphy works are filled with scholarly charm, embodying an elegant and refined style. Every stroke and every line is meticulous, reaching a refined and graceful artistic realm. The Cursive and Semi-Cursive Calligraphy of Dream of the Red Chamber Poetry, presented to the readers, is the work of an amateur calligrapher, and it is both astonishing and delightful. Achieving such success is inseparable from his dedication beyond calligraphy. In addition to calligraphy, Li Yingzhi has published numerous essays, short stories, poems, quyi, dramas, and literary critiques in provincial and municipal newspapers and magazines. In recent years, he has also composed over 200 regulated poems. His broad knowledge and deep cultural foundation subtly influence his calligraphy, propelling his art to a qualitative leap.