On October 11, the “Old Tree in Spring Still Blossoms” calligraphy art exhibition featuring Tian Shuchang opened at the Shanxi Taiyuan Art Museum. Over 130 pieces of calligraphy, along with copies and ink paintings, showcase the achievements of Tian Shuchang’s more than sixty years of artistic creation.

Tian Shuchang, born in Qixian, Shanxi, in 1944, is known for his mastery across various styles, particularly in running and cursive script, displaying a bold and vigorous aesthetic. His calligraphy not only embodies the admirable spirit of classical works but also retains his unique charm, skillfully blending tradition with modernity and showcasing the endless vitality of calligraphy. His influence extends beyond the Shanxi calligraphy scene, leaving a profound impact on Chinese calligraphy as a whole.

During the exhibition, visitors can appreciate a variety of works ranging from large inscriptions to elegant small pieces, with a focus on running and cursive scripts along with large-scale works. The content includes classical and contemporary literary masterpieces, poems from influential figures, as well as Tian’s own poetry. The collection reflects Tian’s aesthetic orientation of “four nings and four musts,” rich in ancient beauty, broad in artistic references, and vibrant in creative expression.

In a congratulatory letter, Chen Zhenlian, Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, remarked, “Mr. Shuchang is an outstanding representative of Shanxi’s calligraphy community. From the 1980s to the turn of the century, he has been a central figure in contemporary national calligraphy, embodying the spirit of a hero while also displaying an open-minded character reminiscent of the brave souls of Shanxi and beyond. This exhibition highlights Shuchang’s decades of artistic accomplishments and serves as an important interpretation for today’s Chinese calligraphy scene on how to accurately grasp the spirit of calligraphy and set examples.”

The Chairman of the Shanxi Calligraphers Association, Shi Yuefeng, highlighted in his speech that Shanxi, with its rich cultural heritage, has long been a hub for calligraphy. Since the Qing Dynasty, masters such as Fu Shan, Qi Lunzao, Zhao Tieshan, Wei Junxiu, and Yao Danzhong have emerged in the region. Mr. Tian continues this legacy, diligently studying and advancing in the fusion of inscriptions and classic calligraphy.

On the opening day of the exhibition, the new publications “The Collected Calligraphy of Tian Shuchang” and “The Collected Works of Tian Shuchang” were launched. Tian donated a piece of his work to the Taiyuan Art Museum, where curator Yin Weidong presented him with a certificate of collection.

This exhibition is guided by the Publicity Department of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and co-hosted by the Art Committee of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, the Shanxi Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Taiyuan Art Museum, with the Shanxi Calligraphers Association, the Taiyuan Calligraphers Association, and Shanxi Publishing Media Group jointly undertaking the event. The exhibition will run until October 25.