Talks
From Bone to Paper- Celebrating Tradition and Innovation in Chinese Calligraphy

Fan-shaped artwork featuring traditional Chinese calligraphy in bold black ink on a cream background, with a red seal stamp

Date

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 19:00

Registration Opens

Tuesday, Apr 8, 2025 10:00

Admission

Talks - Public: Free Talks - Teacher: Free

Audience

Adults
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About

Free with RSVP

Trace the history of Chinese writing in this illustrated talk by renowned scholar Hui-Wen Lu. From 3000-year-old oracle bone inscriptions to mixed media works by some of the 21st century’s most talented contemporary artists, this presentation celebrates both tradition and innovation in writing. From past to present,explore and celebrate the talent and work of many thousands of calligraphy artists who have contributed to this spectacular artform. 

In addition to an illustrated talk by Hui-Wen Lu and an onstage discussion with audience Q&A, this program features a display of works from the ROM’s recent notable acquisition of Chinese calligraphy, along with insights shared by Dr. Wen-chien Cheng.

Speakers

A woman with glasses posing with her shoulder facing the camera, rotating her head to face towards it. Behind is a blurred background.
Hui-Wen Lu

Hui-Wen Lu 盧慧紋  is a Professor and Chair of the Graduate Institute of Art History at National Taiwan University. Her field of specialty is history of calligraphy and painting in pre-modern China. She publishes in both Chinese and English. Her current book project examines the first widespread surge of calligraphy model book publications in China, from the eleventh to the end of thirteenth century, and its impact on the reformation of the calligraphic canon. In recent years, she also directs her attention to contemporary calligraphy and calligraphers. She is currently leading a research project on Women Calligraphers in Taiwan and Beyond, which includes extensive interviews and an international exhibition, scheduled to open in fall 2025 in Taipei, Taiwan.  

Lu is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Art & Archaeology at Princeton University in Spring 2025. 

Headshot of Wen-Chien Cheng
Wen-chien Cheng
Dr. Cheng joined the ROM in October 2011, as the Louise Hawley Stone Chair of East Asian Art. She is an affiliated faculty in the Department of East Asia Studies at the University of Toronto.
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Jameel Jaffer and Charles Stenkievich ©Lisa Milosavijevic

Talks

Curious about art, culture, and nature? Learn why these topics matter within and beyond Museum walls. Talks at ROM offer engaging moments of thought-provoking learning with experts and objects from, and inspired by, collections in the Museum. Upcoming talks are identified as either at ROM or Online. All are Free with RSVP.

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These events are offered in English only.