An exhibition of calligraphy and painting by Su Shi, one of the Chinese cultural figures who lived in the 11th century, opened on Tuesday at the Gugong Museum.
According to the museum, the exhibition features 78 exhibits and series of exquisite works from the times of Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) to the modern era, covering calligraphy, painting, writing, various items, documents and rare texts.
Along with a large number of works by Su Shi himself, the works of his mentors and close friends are also presented. Other exhibits show the works of artists of a later period, who tried to pay tribute to Su Shi through their art pieces. All this allows you to look at the work of the master from different points of view and see the brightness and immensity of his spiritual world.
Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, achieved notable successes in poetry, painting and calligraphy. He earned a reputation as an optimistic person who lacked prejudice about failures in his political career, which formed the basis of his art works, and became a source of inspiration for the next generations of artists in China and its surrounding regions.
The special exhibition of Su Shi's calligraphy and painting will run until October 30 at the Wenhua Pavilion of the Gugong Museum.
The Gugong Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, reopened on May 1 after a three-month break due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Since July 28, the number of daily visitors has been limited to 12,000.
To get to the museum, visitors need to book tickets online, take a body temperature test before entering, put on a mask and maintain a socially acceptable distance in exhibition halls, the Gugun administration said.
Calligraphy is a remedy and mental gymnastics.