Int’l students discover traditional Chinese seal cutting
(ec.js.edu.cn) Updated：2017-04-19
The seal cutting works of overseas students studying at Yangzhou University in Jiangsu province. Under the guidance of master-hand Ding Yuan, the students delved into the traditional Chinese art genre on April 12. [Photo/yzu.edu.cn]
Seal cutting, an art form combing the essence of calligraphy and engraving, has long enchanted overseas students studying at Yangzhou University. On April 12, they delved further into their fascination, uncovering the methods of this traditional Chinese art.
Looking back on the history of the ancient art genre, the students showed great interest in its development during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), a period mainly characterized as the heyday of the art.
They also marveled at Wen Peng and He Zhen, two great seal-cutting figures of the time, as their works displayed entirely different kinds of charm determined by the strength and speed of the wrist and hand working in perfect, unwavering union.
Wen’s engravings feature the dainty mellowness of cutting and elegant, flying characters, while He boasted the powerful and vigorous usage of gravers making the curves of each character clear and harmonious.
The master-hand Ding Yuan also showed the students various types of seal cutting materials, such as shell, jade, metal, animal teeth and horns, pottery, bamboo, fruit-pits and stones, whilst introducing them to the differences in texture and application.
Under the instruction of Master Ding, the students were eager to try their own hand at carving, with some designing a variety of auspicious words and others engraving vivid animal patterns.
After stamping the seals on xuan paper, a special type of rice-made paper widely used for Chinese painting and calligraphy, the students were thrilled with their achievements, and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to experience the unique charm of Chinese characters and the art of seal cutting.
Overseas students from Yangzhou University pose for a group photo with their seal cutting works on April 12. [Photo/yzu.edu.cn]
