Modern calligrapher criticism

Author: Jiang Shoutian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The book "Criticism of Modern Calligraphers" covers 60 influential calligraphers in the history of modern calligraphy. These calligraphers belong to two generations in terms of time. One generation is the second generation of calligraphers from the Republic of China era; the other is the calligraphers who rose to prominence in the 1980s. From the perspective of calligraphical history, the second generation of calligraphers from the Republic of China era mostly reached their creative maturity in the 1950s-1990s. Their historical status has been largely established. In contrast, the calligraphers who rose to prominence in the 1980s are still in the developmental stage of their artistic creation and await historical judgment. To systematically critique influential calligraphers in the history of modern calligraphy is not only a challenge to me but also a spiritual and academic one. Criticism of calligraphy cannot rely solely on courage; it requires knowledge, as the ancients said, history has three talents: courage, knowledge, and insight. The goal I set for myself in writing this critique is: to avoid empty words, to have evidence for every statement, and to strive to observe the creations of each calligrapher from a cultural-aesthetic perspective, making realistic evaluations of their historical status and limitations, rather than basing judgments on personal preferences or arbitrary opinions.