Synergy between Tradition and the Contemporary – Brush-and-Ink, Materiality and Multimodality: Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Engraving by Lau Chak Kwong Daniel

“Synergy between Tradition and the Contemporary”

Dr. Chak Kwong Daniel LAU seamlessly blends the past and present in his artworks with his unique artistic approach. With exceptional skills in brush and ink, he creates contemporary artworks that are both refreshing and visually striking, by utilizing elements of multi-media in visual arts while also infusing contemporary thoughts into his pieces.

This website is the original work designed by Dr. Lau, with integration of calligraphy, seal engraving, and art historical studies. It is quite rare to find a contemporary art historian who is also a skilled calligrapher and seal engraver, as these art forms typically belong to other separate fields of study beyond art history. However, having long been involved in the art practice of calligraphy and seal engraving, alongside his art historical research, Dr. Lau boldly breaks through the boundaries of these disciplines. Committed to applying the outcomes of his art historical research, Dr. Lau aims to develop a personal theory that merges art history with his own artistic practice, and ultimately infuse this concept into his calligraphy and seal engraving works.

“Brush-and-Ink, Materiality and Multimodality”

In traditional Chinese society, calligraphy was primarily regarded as a form of elegant art appreciated by literati and the elite. It adhered to established aesthetic standards and required the use of traditional mediums such as ink, paper, and silk to create ‘orthodox’ works. However, driven by determination, Dr. Lau broke free from these conventional restrictions to explore unprecedented expressions of calligraphy using new materials.

Based on his deep understanding of traditional Chinese calligraphic aesthetics, techniques, and brush-and-ink skills, Dr. Lau combines his research on stele calligraphy theories with extensive study and practices of ancient scripts such as oracle-bone script, bronze inscriptions, seal script and clerical script (stele and bamboo slips from Han dynasty). This has led him to develop a range of styles, including bold and powerful large-character writing, black-tiger calligraphy, and vigorous yet elegant small-character standard script, that strongly advocate for an approach known as “fugu”, or the revival of the antiquity, in calligraphy. On the other hand, Dr. Lau boldly explores the “materiality and multimodality” of calligraphy, showcasing new textures, ideas, and aesthetic meanings when calligraphy is presented on different materials such as large-scale calligraphy tapestries and phone cases. He emphasizes the fusion of calligraphy with various mediums, including calligraphy sculpture, large-scale and site-specific calligraphy performances, and cross-media artworks that combine calligraphy performances with aerial video art. He also explores new experiences through the impact of the circulation and playback of calligraphy performances on the internet.

In the realm of seal engraving, Dr. Lau upholds the literati traditions which predominantly used stone as the engraving material, especially the traditional styles of the Eight Masters of Xiling from the Qing Dynasty. Meanwhile, he also explores new approaches by extensively employing various innovative materials to express boundless ideas. By using non-seal-script characters to echo the natural shapes of the materials and resulting in novel compositions, Dr. Lau retains the natural textures of the materials used through the imprints of his seals – a very delightful and lively effect to witness! Additionally, he delves deeply into the grandeur of monumental seals, leaving a profound impact on viewers.

These innovative ideas transform traditional calligraphy and seal engraving into a journey full of surprises. These fresh expressions of calligraphy and seal engraving embody the diverse fusion of traditional cultures and contemporary concepts, affirming the close connection between the art of calligraphy and seal engraving and modern urban life. The art form, once dominated by literati and enjoyed by elite classes, has been transformed into a visual culture that caters to the general public.

This website is based on the following three projects involving creative practices and Chinese art historical research by the Principal Investigator Dr. Lau Chak Kwong Daniel:

Lau, Chak Kwong. “Calligraphic Materiality and Multimodality: Modes of Expression and Representation in Chinese Calligraphy and their Dynamics with Contexts of Use in the City of Hong Kong” (General Research Funds from the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong, project no. 12600521; 2021)

Lau, Chak Kwong. “The Refreshing Paradox of Embracing Innovation for a Return to Antiquity: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Integration of Art Historical Research with Creative Art Practice of Chinese Calligraphy” in Hong Kong Visual Arts Yearbook 2018, edited by Tam, Wai Ping Lukas, 193-237. Hong Kong: Department of Fine Arts, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2019.

Lau, Chak Kwong: “Synergy between Tradition and the Contemporary ––– Brush-and-Ink, Materiality and Multimodality: Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Engraving by Lau Chak Kwong Daniel” (Support from Hong Kong Baptist University, project no.: Digital Scholarship Grant DSG-2122-105-VA; 2022)

This website is specifically designed for the general public and researchers alike. Through high-resolution images and videos, as well as easily accessible categorization of artworks, the exquisite and innovative calligraphy and seal engraving art by Dr. Daniel Lau can be conveniently and meticulously displayed to the public. Users can quickly and clearly understand and appreciate the outstanding artworks by an artist, who plays a dual role as art historian and artist (calligrapher and seal engraver). Furthermore, this website serves as a primary and secondary research database, facilitating further academic, artistic and interdisciplinary research for scholars in various fields. On the other hand, this website also serves as an important educational resource that aids universities, secondary and primary schools to develop teaching and learning activities pertinent to the arts of Chinese calligraphy and seal engraving, art history, Hong Kong art, Chinese culture, and Chinese language education.