On November 11, 2023, the "Eight Methods of Craftsmanship - Chen Hailiang's Calligraphy Exhibition" was launched at the National Art Museum of China. The exhibition exhibited more than 90 pieces of Chen Hailiang's calligraphy works, including five types of calligraphy, including Kai, Li, Seal, Xing and Cao, which are divided into four units: "Tunyun", "Rain", "Tongquan" and "Bensi". The opening ceremony was attended by a number of well-known contemporary artists. Although the exhibition has ended, it has triggered a shock and reflection in the Chinese calligraphy community
Chen Hailiang, Doctor of Literature, is a national first-class artist. He studied under Professors Wei Tianchi, Chen Zhongming, Ma Shida and Zhou Yufeng. His work is full of modernity, incorporating elements of contemporary art while retaining the essence of traditional calligraphy. His teachers were also masters. I think when I was studying Xi in the training class of the China Calligraphy Association, Mr. Ma Shida showed me a year's homework!
Chen Hailiang's calligraphy is a combination of the characteristics of the times and personal style, a fusion of tradition and modernity, which has enabled him to create many innovative and personalized works, with a unique style of writing.
Mr. Shi Kai said that Chen Hailiang is a very limited figure in contemporary times, and he can be compared with outstanding calligraphers in ancient timesNo contemporary bookmaker is his opponent.
Mr. Nie Chengwen, former chairman of the China Calligraphy Association, criticized some of the chaos that exists in the Association at a forum of the China Calligraphy Association: "Some people do not correct the Tao and follow crooked ways, including Chen Hailiangsurpassed the ancients."
Mr. Chen Hailiang's calligraphy level is indeed much higher than that of most modern calligraphers, but there is still a certain gap compared with ancient calligraphers. The reason why there is so much controversy is not entirely a question of calligraphy, but an important question of people. The accumulation of thousands of years of Chinese calligraphy is not surpassed overnight. This controversy will inevitably cause the whole society to reflect on where Chinese calligraphy is going