Poetry in Calligraphy

THE 100 Calligraphers' Style Exhibition at Oriental Art and Culture Centre (OACC) in Kuala Lumpur is a rare treat.

Reputed calligraphers from all over the world have presented their calligraphic transcriptions of Dr Cheng Haw Chien’s poems, couplets, and rubrics.

Visitors could admire the masterpieces while contemplating the beautifully phrased and exquisitely depicted texts.

Dr Cheng, a 64-year-old Penangite, takes pride in his capability to transform poems and phrases with a pen, which is a rare skill among most people today.

He attributed it to his mentor, Venerable Chuk Mor, who encouraged him to learn the skill in addition to painting and calligraphy.

“I used to watch him paint and write at the corridor of his temple. The bamboo blinds were down and his robe would be drenched in sweat in those afternoons.

”People often asked him for his painting and calligraphy pieces, and he made sure that the poems or phrases written were his own,” Dr Cheng recalled.

He added that penning poems and phrases was not a daunting task.

“You just need to master a few basic rules, such as ensuring that rhyming words are placed at the end of the lines, or matching verbs, nouns, adjectives or numbers in a poem with relevant counterparts,” he said.

Just like an artist with his painting and a writer with his article, Dr Cheng’s texts recorded a special moment in life, freezing the feelings between the carefully chosen characters.

For instance, a few of his works talked about his travels.

“I read about the place and its history before a trip. Once I am there, I can produce the poems or phrases with an extra dose of imagination,” he said.

Calligraphers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia had worked on Dr Cheng’s texts using Chinese brush and black ink.

About 100 pieces are showcased at this exhibition. However, they are not for sale.

“Each and every one of them is meaningful and memorable to me,” he said.

Dr Cheng displayed 30 of his own calligraphy pieces which were for sale.

Proceeds were channeled to the Centre for Chinese Studies and Institute of Chinese Studies of Utar.

This exhibition was organized by the Institute of Chinese Studies of Utar and co-organized by OACC.

Chin (right) and Dr Cheng admiring the calligraphy pieces exhibited

Source: thestar.com.my