Single-minded

作品賞析

The artist Chen I-Tso is skilled in each of the four major types of calligraphy—seal script, clerical script, running script, and cursive script. He starts with the Chinese art historical concept that “calligraphy and painting share the same source” and combines the different calligraphic styles, creating many iconic calligraphic works by expanding the possibilities in the brushwork and overall composition. Here Chen I-Tso used a thick brush and heavy ink to write the two large characters shou yi or “guarding the One,” which then becomes the title. The brushwork is unrestrained and full of energy, but still retains some rigor, so that the stroke-edges show the fascinating “flying white” effect. The arrangement of the two characters, staggered one above the other, also extends the line of sight to the two sides, enlivening the whole composition and giving it a sense of rhythm. The brushwork and fluid structure of the characters display the artist’s considerable calligraphic skill, open experimental attitude, and intrepid style.