On display at the Asian American Resource Center from January 10 - March 26, 2022
Join us for the artist reception on February 18th at 6pm
Be on the look out for details of an artist-led calligraphy workshop!
Is Chinese calligraphy a foreign art form to you? Despite originating in China thousands of years ago and having spread widely since, it is seldom practiced in the Western world today. If one pays closer attention, however, one may notice calligraphy’s presence in their daily life--in restaurants, at your Asian friend’s house, in your favorite Kung Fu movies, in Chinese New Year celebrations, or in Buddhist temples. Still, the calligraphy process, which traditionally involves dipping a brush pen into black ink and writing on a white piece of rice paper, is rarely ever seen and remains mostly unfamiliar to the general public.
What if, instead of black ink, we use colorful acrylic paint? What if, instead of writing on white rice paper, we write on canvas, shells, or rocks? What if, instead of using a traditional brush pen made of bamboo and animal furs, we use our fingers, rocks, or leaves to “write”? Here, ancient craft combines with contemporary life, expanding Western notions of the traditional calligraphy process. Through his practice, Luo offers new mans through which we might become familiar with calligraphy.
Image Source: Kevin Luo
Kevin Luo was born and raised in Taiwan and trained in traditional Chinese calligraphy since he was 8 years old. Rigid, conventional training made practicing calligraphy more of a chore than a developing appreciation for the art. It was not until he was in his mid 20’s that he finally learned to understand the depth and the beauty of this ancient art form.
After moving to Austin 15 years ago, Kevin joined Art in Harmony Studio, a local artist group founded by Master Peter Chung. Since then, he has had several exhibits with the group at Dougherty Arts Center and Austin Public Library. He has been invited as a guest lecturer at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, St. Edward University, and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, as well as a demonstrator at Xiang Yun temple’s Chinese New Year celebration. He has participated in Austin Studio Tours twice, showcasing his artwork to the general public in Austin. Most recently, he won first place in the calligraphy competition organized by the Dallas Chinese Community Center.
As an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, Kevin is passionate about keeping tradition alive by introducing them to others who can appreciate and benefit from them. Calligraphy, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine are in the same category for Luo. In addition to running his clinic, Luo runs a calligraphy studio with the hopes of inspiring the next generation of calligraphers. His students have won gold and silver prizes at calligraphy competitions sponsored by Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts in Boston, MA.
Image Source: Kevin Luo