It might seem impossible to condense the three-plus-millennium history of Chinese writing into one art show, but a new exhibit opening at Pellissippi State Community College accomplishes the feat with both style and substance.
“The Genesis of Chinese Writing and the Art of Calligraphy” debuts Sept. 15 and remains on exhibit through Sept. 21. Free and open to the community, the exhibit features 12 panels depicting the history of Chinese writing, as well as a collection of works that pay homage to the symbolism and beauty of the ancient art of calligraphy. Together, the separate components represent a concise yet comprehensive survey of all the major script types—from the earliest ceramic signs, symbols and oracle bone script to the simplified Chinese characters used today.
SuiWah Chan and He BingWu are the artists behind the works on display. Chan is an associate of the Confucius Institute and the China Mirror Project at the University of Michigan. BingWu, a master artist, is a professor and the director of the Institute of Ancient Texts at the Academy of Social Sciences in Xian, Shaanxi province. Though his works are widely published in China, this calligraphy exhibit is BingWu’s first in the United States.
The new art exhibit is co-sponsored by Pellissippi State, the Confucius Classroom and the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies.
The Confucius Classroom was established at Pellissippi State last year as part of a prestigious grant through the Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis. Pellissippi State is the only community college in Tennessee to receive the grant. Through the Confucius Classroom, Pellissippi State students are able to take classes in Chinese language and culture, as well as access related books, hardware and software. To learn more, call (865) 694-6400 or visit www.pstcc.edu/admissions.
TnCIS is a statewide program founded in 2006 that provides study abroad experiences for college students throughout Tennessee. TnCIS headquarters are at Pellissippi State. The study abroad program includes more than 400 participants from universities and community colleges across the state. Participants this summer travel to 15 countries, including China. For more about TnCIS, visit www.tncis.org or contact Theresa Castillo, program coordinator, at (865) 539-7280 or tcastillo@pstcc.edu.
“The Genesis of Chinese Writing and the Art of Calligraphy” is at the Bagwell Center for Media and Arts gallery on the Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. The opening ceremony, to which the community is invited, 11 a.m. Sept. 15. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday or by appointment.
To request accommodations for a disability, contact the executive director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action, (865) 694-6607 or humanresources@pstcc.edu.