Beilin

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Ren Yu Nong: Xing Shu Horizontal Scroll

Ren Yu Nong, courtesy name Xiangpu, was ancestrally from Changsha, Hunan. He was a writer and poet, and graduated from the History Department of Hunan First Normal College. He taught at Liling Women?s Normal School in Hunan. In 1938, he co-founded Nanfeng Magazine with friends and served as editor-in-chief. After Japan?s surrender, he taught at Pei Hwa Chinese School in Beihai, Chung Ling High School in Penang, Taiping Hua Lian High School, and the Language Institute and Teachers? College in Kuala Lumpur as a lecturer in classical Chinese literature. In 1985, he co-founded the Malaysia Calligraphy Association and served as adviser. He received the Honorary Cultural Award from the Malaysian Chinese Cultural Association and was appointed honorary professor by Shaanxi Normal University in China. His calligraphy has an orchid-like refinement, graceful and elegant, complementing the character of his poetry and prose.

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Zheng Yi Feng: Xing Shu Banner

Zheng Yi Feng was originally from Minhou, Fujian, China. He graduated from Fujian College in China. During the Sino-Japanese War, he served as a war correspondent, and after the restoration he came south to work in education. He was principal of Sin Min Primary School in Sungai Petani, Kedah, and Xinhua Primary School in Parit Buntar, Perak. He was skilled in many script styles. This couplet carries the structural spirit of Sui steles; although written in running script, it still shows a forged strength and imposing presence.

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Chen Ren Hao: Xing Shu Banner

Chen Ren Hao was originally from Fu Zhou, Fu Jian. Graduated from Shanghai Xinhua University of Art, Chen was a postgraduate researcher of Academy of Arts, Paris. He lectured at Shanghai Training School of Fine Arts prior to leaving his footprints in Southeast Asia as the principal of Chung Hwa High School (Muar) and Dunman High School (Singapore). Chen’s works exude the calligraphy characteristics of a typical scholar. He drew inspiration from the calligraphy styles of Song and Yuan dynasties, followed by immersion in tablet calligraphy. One may feel the vigorous pulses in his calligraphy, along with masculinity and femininity, harmoniously.

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Luo Qing Quan: Xing Shu Short Piece

Hailed from Hui An, Fu Jian, Luo Qing Quan was the leader of the overseas Chinese community in Penang. A notable figure who laid the foundations for the blossoming of Chinese culture and education across Penang from the beginning of the 20 th century until 1960s, Luo stamped his mark on the literary fraternity with his impressive poetry and essay pieces. Together with the like-minded fraternity members, Luo founded the Penang Poem Reading Society and Penang Art Society. He was dynamic figure in the movement of literature and art in which Penang was known as the epic centre of art in those days. Luo was a close friend of Chinese calligraphers of the modern era in the likes of Xu Bei Hong and Zhang Da Qian. Luo had a brilliant command of calligraphy and seal carving, drawing inspiration from Huang Ting Jian. The composition of his calligraphy can be likened to the swift movement of a mighty sword, stately and sturdy. It leads you to a scholarly world filled with endless literary adventures, so well-cultured and elegant. His calligraphy works represent a personality of himself, being a gentleman of scholarly bearing.

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Wang Mi Wen: Xing Shu Scroll

Wang Fu Wen was originally from Tai District, Jiang Su Province, with a birth name and nickname of Yi Chu and Ti Zhai respectively. He was a graduate of Nanjing University and Southeast University (formerly known as National Central University), majoring in English Language. Wang was the Chinese Education supervisor of Malaysia’s Education Ministry, principal of Surabaya (Indonesia) Overseas Chinese High School, and principal of Foon Yew High School in Johor Bahru. Wang was a renowned educationist and scholar across Malaysia. TwoOne of his notable publications is ‘The Ti Zhai Prose Compilation by Wang Fu Wen’. Wang’s calligraphy was initially inspired by the Li style of Han Dynasty and later enriched his calligraphy knowledge with Ouyang Xun’s tablet calligraphy of Tang Dynasty. Wang’s calligraphy foundation was generally based on the style of Tang Dynasty’s Yan Zhen Qing. He also drew inspiration from Qing Dynasty’s He Shao Ji, in terms of character composition and layout for his Xing Shu calligraphy. Resolute and distinctive, his calligraphy exudes a strong sense of vigour and elegance.

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Siow Wan Heong: Xing Shu Hall Scroll

Siow Wan Heong hailed from Da Bu, Guang Dong, with a birth name of ‘Lan Xuan’. Siow is a highly respected philanthropist, educationist, member of the board of directors of Foon Yew High School, land donor of Southern University College, founder of Jin Guang Primary School and Jin Guang Secondary School in Da Bu, Guang Dong. He was the chairman of the board of directors of Johor Bahru’s Foon Yew High School back in 1961. He was the voice of Chinese schools’ boards of directors, campaigning to reject the reformed secondary schools’ system. He insisted on the teaching medium of Chinese Language and his insights paved the way for the success of Foon Yew High School and Chinese Language education throughout Malaysia. The diligent Siow studied on his own in his younger days. He only started to master calligraphy in his golden years. He was particularly fond of Song Xiang’s calligraphy, touted as one of the most distinguished intellectuals of the Hakka clan, of the late Qing Dynasty. Siow’s self-mastered his calligraphy through constant practices and sharp observations.

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Lin Lian Yu: Pen-Written Letters

Lin Lian Yu (also known as Lim Lian Geok in Malaysia) is an epic figure in the history of Malaysia’s Chinese Language education. The former chairman of the United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia was a notable author, educationist and leader of Chinese Language education all his life. Hailed from Yong Chun District, Fu Jian Province and graduated from Xiamen’s Jimei Teachers College, Lin came over to Malaya in 1925. He adopted the “Kang Ru Ye” pen name in the 50s and was a contributor in “Shang Yu” supplement to Nanyang Siang Pau. He devoted his life to the promotion of Chinese Language education in Malaysia amid many heart-wrenching adversities. He impressed with his widely acknowledged literary prowess as seen in his old-style or classical poetry. He engaged himself with renowned calligraphers Ouyang Xue Feng, Li Jia Yao, Wang Mi Wen, Zhu Mo, Bo Yuan and Liang Pi Yun through poetry exchanges.

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Xie Yun Sheng: Xing Shu Fan

Xie Yun Sheng’s ancestral home is Nan An, Fu Jian. His original name is Xie Wen Long. Xie is also known by his pen name ‘Chun Ni’. He was an educationist, historian on the history of Southeast Asia (Nanyang) and expert in folkloristics. Xie was a teacher at the Chinese Department of Xiamen’s Common Culture College (Tong Men Shu Yuan), teaching history and geography. In Malaya, he was the principal of Kuala Kemaman Overseas Chinese School. Xie’s footprints spanned into Singapore where he was a teacher at Nanyang High School (Girls) and principal for Zhen Dong School. He was a famous author of classical poetry in the 30s. He was the founder and president of Singapore’s Xin Sheng Poets Society. The prolific poet specialized in the folklores of Nanyang and riddles. Among his renowned publications are “Hai Wai Ji”, “Dong Yan Qi Shi Hua”, “Shi Yi Bao Shi Hua” and “Huai Gui Ji”. Xie’s works are commonly in circulation in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Xie’s calligraphy bears the artistic conception of Su Dong Po and Zheng Ban Qiao. He was fundamentally inspired by Huang Ting Jian as seen in his calligraphy works. His ‘Xing Shu’ calligraphy is woven with extended strokes for added dynamism. Overall, it gives an impression of a close-knit and loose composition at the same time. This radiates a rhythm of flexibility and variation, making his calligraphy works elegant and pleasing to the eye.

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Li Zhan Ru: Xing Shu Couplet

Li Zhan Ru hailed from He Shan, Guang Dong. He adopted ‘Yu Weng’ as his pen name. Li was a notable calligrapher in the 30s - 40s era. His calligraphy works are found on the old temples and associations around Kuala Lumpur, and in the hands of private collectors. Li was one of the pioneers who popularized calligraphy around the capital city. He was also a distinguished man of literature, in addition to his calligraphy prowess. His poetry works earned plenty of compliments among the literati. Li was a regular feature at the poetry reading activities organized by Nanyang Calligraphy and Painting Society Association (established in 1929). The well-socialized man had certainly left a rich legacy of outstanding works to the literary world.

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Kong Xiang Tai: Xing Shu Four-Panel Screen

Kong Tai Xiang’s ancestral roots lead to Yi Xing, Jiang Su. Kong dedicated his life to education for nearly forty years. He held important posts in teachers’ union. He set foot on Penang in 1926, devoting himself to the teaching of art. He was a long-time teacher at Chung Ling High School (Penang) prior to his posting to Sin Min School in Sungai Petani (Kedah). Kong’s calligraphy was a subject of pursuit among people of the northern region particularly. His calligraphy remains popular among students these days where it serves as a favourite reference source. His calligraphy style is affectionately labelled ‘Kong’ style. Kong’s calligraphy goes against the thick-stroked convention. He amazed the calligraphy fraternity with his unique, slim strokes. Well composed and vigorous, his calligraphy appears to be fluent, graceful and well-proportioned with indigenous presses and twists. His ‘Xing Shu’ calligraphy embodies the seal-carving calligraphy structure of the ancient Northern Dynasties, with a vibrant yet restrained manner.

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Ouyang Xue Feng: Xing Shu Short Essays

Ouyang Xue Feng’s ancestral hometown is Shun De, Guang Dong. He came to Malaya (Kuala Lumpur) at a very young age. Ouyang was a remarkable calligrapher, poet, literary intellectual, painter and seal carving master. He spared no effort to promoting Chinese art and culture in his adopted land, alongside Nanyang Calligraphy and Painting Association. In 1926, together with Xing Bai Hui, Liao Rong Zhi and Zhang Yu Cai, they established Kwong Siew Free School in Kuala Lumpur. Ouyang’s calligraphy bears a resemblance to Su Dong Po’s. His works showcase a clever fusion of brilliant brush wielding, word composition and layout. Fascinating and meaningful; natural and harmonious. One would feel elated having viewed it.

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Huang Shi Qing: Xing Shu Couplet

Huang Shi Qing, nicknamed ‘Jiang Xia Bo Zi’, hailed from Pu Ning, Guang Dong Province before he came over to Malaya (Kuala Lumpur) as an adult. He founded SJK (C) Puay Chai in Kuala Lumpur and became the inaugural headmaster of the school. He also initiated the founding of The Federated Teochew Associations of Malaysia. His calligraphy works are commonly found on the signs of temples, schools, shops and ancestral hall. Among them are “Deng Bi An Temple” and “Kuen Cheng Girls School”. Huang was a member of the Nanyang Calligraphy and Painting Association. He drew inspiration from Zheng Ban Qiao in his quest for mastering his calligraphy. His elegant and fluid ‘Xing Shu’ calligraphy earned him a great reputation for being one of the most significant pioneers in Malaysia’s calligraphy development.

马来西亚
中华人文碑林

Curated Stillness

Ren Yu Nong: Xing Shu Horizontal Scroll

Zheng Yi Feng: Xing Shu Banner

Chen Ren Hao: Xing Shu Banner

Luo Qing Quan: Xing Shu Short Piece

Wang Mi Wen: Xing Shu Scroll

Siow Wan Heong: Xing Shu Hall Scroll

Lin Lian Yu: Pen-Written Letters

Xie Yun Sheng: Xing Shu Fan

Li Zhan Ru: Xing Shu Couplet

Kong Xiang Tai: Xing Shu Four-Panel Screen

Ouyang Xue Feng: Xing Shu Short Essays

Huang Shi Qing: Xing Shu Couplet

马来西亚
中华人文碑林

Curated Stillness

Ren Yu Nong: Xing Shu Horizontal Scroll

Zheng Yi Feng: Xing Shu Banner

Chen Ren Hao: Xing Shu Banner

Luo Qing Quan: Xing Shu Short Piece

Wang Mi Wen: Xing Shu Scroll

Siow Wan Heong: Xing Shu Hall Scroll

Lin Lian Yu: Pen-Written Letters

Xie Yun Sheng: Xing Shu Fan

Li Zhan Ru: Xing Shu Couplet

Kong Xiang Tai: Xing Shu Four-Panel Screen

Ouyang Xue Feng: Xing Shu Short Essays

Huang Shi Qing: Xing Shu Couplet

马来西亚中华人文碑林

马来西亚
中华人文碑林