Art
Ancient art form transforms into contemporary healing techique
The practice of Chinese calligraphy dates back more than 2,000 years. But in 2017 Xin (Alice) Haung took the art form and found a way to use it to promote healing in a way that makes it as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.
“Calligratherapy is the ancient art form of Chinese calligraphy combined with deep breathing exercise and mind training,” Haung said. “Together we help to enhance the well being, mental and emotional resilience – that’s calligratherapy.”
Haung developed the practice when she moved from China to her home in New Zealand. She says the culture shock made it a stressful time. She was having trouble adapting and couldn’t sleep at night. Then she mixed up some ink and picked up her brush and found it calmed her mind.
“A good friend of mine who is a Kiwi called Leah is a registered psychologist,” said Haung. “She provides counseling for people and she said ‘I noticed your mood change.What happened?’ So I told her about calligraphy I’m doing and she said, ‘that’s good, it’ll be very beneficial for others’ – so she helped me and together we came up with this name calligratherapy.”
INVITED TO CALGARY AND EDMONTON
Haung was invited to Calgary to present at the recent Edmonton and Calgary Teacher’s Conventions. David Leinster is the CEO of Contemporary Calgary and says the two weekend workshops at his facility were attended by more than 70 members.
“It’s amazing to bring such amazing artists from around the world to this gallery,” said Leinster. “It’s also incredible to bring people like Xin to the gallery, who have these really innovative programs that are really doing a lot of healing, bringing people together through the arts and I think that it says a lot about what we do at Contemporary Calgary.”
Cassie Cao is from Vancouver and mentoring with Haung so she can become a calligratherapist. She remembers when she was six years old that she found calligraphy to be boring because of its repetitive nature and constantly trying to perfect a symbol.
“Calligratherapy is different from calligraphy, it’s more about connecting to yourself, your mind, talking to the inner you,” she said. “I remember when I was kid, I didn’t enjoy calligraphy but when I joined the classes with Xin I was like, actually, it’s different, it’s amazing, you’re not doing the technical side too much, it’s more about creative, it’s more about what’s in your mind, clear your mind, talk to yourself, enjoy this moment and live right now.”
Cao says the technique can bridge people from all cultural backgrounds as it did with her partner, who’s originally from France.
“For him it’s really interesting, he told me it looks like a painting (and he could) never learn it, it’s impossible for me but when he (put brush to paper) he was like, ‘actually you know what, I enjoyed it and I think I know even more about your culture now’.”
Huang has trained two Canadian calligratherapists to operate in Calgary and Vancouver but is looking to expand into Montreal and Toronto.
“We do teach people how to handle a brush doing strokes but more important is the mindfulness part,” said Haung. “I use this as a medium to help you breathe, help your self-reflection, and help you to create an inner reflection to yourself understand yourself.”
“More importantly,” she added. “We create a quality time for friends and family to get together, when you write a character or doing a zodiac animal portrait together, they talk, they understand each other more and together they create something memorable.”
Learn more about calligratherapy here: https://www.calligratherapy.co.nz/
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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