FORGING A BRIDGE WITH A BRUSH

After setting up the Chinese calligraphy class at the UN in 2011, Yong Ho, former Chinese Language Supervisor of the UN, instinctively knew the task at hand was a challenging one. Despite acknowledging the lingering charm of this visual art form in traditional China, he knew that using English to illustrate the Chinese aesthetic and cultural ideas underlying this treasured art to foreigners would not be an easy feat.

Deeply rooted in Chinese culture and widely feted, calligraphy is about more than just characters. The art, through the fewest of colors and in the simplest of ways touches upon the very philosophy of the Chinese people.