Pam Strudler
“Three Hundred Tang Poems, Pure in Emotion” focuses on poetry from China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The poems were originally compiled around 1763 by the scholar Sun Zhu (1722-1778), who selected them based on their popularity and educational value at the time. The collection has been popular throughout the centuries and is still in many Chinese households and schools.
In the exhibition, lines from each poem are reproduced with the fluid strokes of Chinese calligraphy. According to exhibition curator Xinde Shen, Chinese calligraphy is “the core, the essence of Chinese culture” and an art form that “expresses emotions and feelings on paper.” As such, it is the perfect vehicle for the poems Sun Zhu compiled.
In recent years, growing numbers of people have been learning Chinese calligraphy, both within and outside the Chinese community, and many libraries have been offering popular programs in the art.
In response to this growing interest, three public libraries on Long Island—Manhasset and Syosset libraries in Nassau County and Flushing Library in Queens—have cooperated with the North American Calligraphy Association, Long Island Calligraphy Club, Long Island Chinese School and NineGrid Cultural Foundation to present the exhibition.
Each library will display 50 to 60 works of calligraphy representing 100 different poems. Viewers will see different poems represented at each venue.
Manhasset Library (516-627-2300) is located at 30 Onderdonk Ave; Syosset Library (516-921-7161) is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road; Flushing Library is located at 41-17 Main Street (718-661-1200).
The exhibition is sponsored by the Manhasset Association of Chinese Americans, NineGrid Cultural Foundation, and Flushing Public Library.
Pam Strudler is associated with the Syosset Public Library
