The Keelung City Calligraphy Association, with its long and distinguished 92-year history, is presenting a members’ joint exhibition titled Elegance Beyond the Mundane from September 30 to October 19, 2025, at the Keelung Museum of Art.
Featuring around 150 outstanding works in a variety of styles — including standard script (Kai), semi-cursive (Xing), cursive (Cao), clerical (Li), and seal script (Zhuan) — the exhibition showcases the depth, diversity, and enduring vitality of Keelung’s calligraphic art.
A 92-year legacy in Keelung: The fragrance of ink through time
The roots of the Keelung City Calligraphy Association can be traced back to the Dongbi Painting and Calligraphy Society (東壁書畫會), which was founded in 1933. Later, under the influence of renowned calligraphers such as Yu You-ren and Li Pu-tong, the association was formally registered in 1958, becoming the first officially established calligraphy organization in Taiwan. It went on to host an unprecedented International Calligraphy Exhibition, marking a milestone in Taiwan’s calligraphic history.
(Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)
Although the association once experienced a hiatus, it was revived in 1993 under its current name through the efforts of several devoted calligraphers dedicated to continuing Keelung’s artistic heritage. Upon reestablishment, Mr. Chiang Meng-long served as chairperson and vigorously promoted calligraphy education by organizing national competitions, international forums, and teacher training programs. These efforts fostered artistic exchange and cultural inheritance, reigniting Keelung’s vibrant calligraphy culture.
Keelung calligraphy masterpieces: Bridging tradition and innovation
This exhibition features approximately 150 works by members and distinguished calligraphers, each showcasing a unique artistic temperament and mastery of brushwork. The pieces span a spectrum of expressions — from the stately grace of regular script to the spirited freedom of cursive — reflecting the harmony between discipline and creativity.
A significant highlight is Keelung 100: Centennial Ode Written by 100 Calligraphers, a collective creation commemorating Keelung City’s centennial. This grand work embodies the continuity of cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of calligraphy.
The exhibition also features posthumous works by revered late-generation calligraphers, including Liao Zhen-xiang, Li Ming, Li Chun-fu, and Huang Bao-zhu. The juxtaposition of past and present allows visitors to experience the emotional depth and evolving essence of this timeless art form.
Ink and moonlight: A Mid-Autumn celebration of art and poetry
Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the opening ceremony was held on October 5 (the eve of the festival). Chairperson Chen Li-xue invited former presidents to perform a live aerial calligraphy demonstration, collaboratively inscribing Su Dongpo’s celebrated poem Shui Diao Ge Tou (Prelude to the Water Melody).
Elegant women in traditional qipao held unfurled scrolls beside the artists, their graceful movements complementing the fluid rhythm of the brush. The interplay of flowing ink and poised elegance created a captivating tableau where classical artistry met contemporary aesthetics.
Following the performance, Corina Du offered a soulful poetic recital, her voice intertwining with the scent of ink and the lingering resonance of calligraphy. The fusion of word, sound, and motion evoked a serene yet stirring atmosphere — an unforgettable cultural moment under the Mid-Autumn moon.
Enduring grace: The spirit of calligraphy in the Harbor City
Elegance Beyond the Mundane is more than an exhibition title — it encapsulates the spirit of calligraphy itself: pure, refined, and transcending the ordinary. The Association emphasizes that its 92-year journey represents not merely the accumulation of history, but the living pulse of cultural continuity.
By honoring past masters while inspiring contemporary creativity, the exhibition reaffirmed Keelung’s position as a harbor of culture and artistry. It offered the public and art lovers an opportunity to experience the vitality of the brush and the enduring elegance of Chinese culture. This artistic celebration continues to resonate long after its conclusion.
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