Merging ancient history with ink

Chinese calligrapher and brush painter Shantien Tom Chow showed mastery of his craft during an “Art Demonstrations and Docent Tour” held May 21 at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (SDCHM) in Downtown San Diego.

Chow joined with members of the Chinese Brush Painting Society San Diego to demonstrate calligraphy and brush paintings on scrolls, which were then auctioned off.

The society is a group of San Diego artists dedicated to learning and promoting the ancient art of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. Members meet regularly to share ideas on all aspects of Chinese brush painting and host workshops on both traditional and contemporary styles.

Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. Like calligraphy, it is done with a brush dipped in black ink or colored pigments; oils are not used. The most popular materials used for paintings are paper and silk and the finished work can be mounted on scrolls or done on album sheets, walls, folding screens and other media.

A Chinese native, Chow was taught the ancient arts of calligraphy and brush painting starting at age 5. He sees himself as not only an artist, but as an ambassador of the craft.

“We’re trying to promote Asian brush painting and calligraphy, which are both very closely related,” he said. “I’m trying to bring the fine art, not just a craft, to the general public.”

Chow is hopeful that teaching Chinese calligraphy and brush painting will be “instrumental in giving the art form a much wider scope” and taking it “to a different level” with the general public.

Chow is surprised that many of his students, like those in San Diego, can master Chinese painting and calligraphy without prior knowledge of the Chinese language or culture.

“Even though Chinese brush paintings have the same techniques and philosophical background — the expression from the artists constantly changes and evolves,” he said.

Merging ancient history with ink

Source: sandiegodowntownnews.com