Saturday 10 June
1 - 2:30pm
$25 (bookings essential)
the Gallery
Xin Alice Huang
Join Xin Alice Huang in this beginner's class in Calligratherapy, celebrating the art of calligraphy as showcased in our current exhibition Sailing Lanterns.
Calligratherapy combines science journalist James Nestor's theory on proper breathing with the philosophy of ancient Chinese calligraphy to promote a state of optimal wellbeing.
Calligratherapy has been developed specifically for those who have never practiced calligraphy before and who are interested in deriving the benefits without having to learn the language or all the characters. It integrates the simple and intuitive act of inhaling and exhaling into calligraphy practice with Eastern philosophy behind it.
A range of breathing exercises are embedded into this 90-minute session focusing on different calligraphy scripts. In this beginners class, you will develop and practice the awareness of deeper breathing, while learning new techniques of Chinese soft brush calligraphy. All materials will be provided.
Places are limited so bookings are essential.
To book:
e-mail: sascha.perfect@wcc.govt.nz
Sailing Lanterns
20 May - 16 June
Curated by Chyna Lily and Simon L Wong to provide more insight into the lives of Asian creatives in Aotearoa, Sailing Lanterns is an exhibition that guides the viewer with illuminating works throughout a domestic yet fragile scene. Hand-crafted objects including copper sculptures, printed flowing fabric and time-based work all express a desire to reconnect with ancestral traditions.
Facilitated by Xin Alice Huang
Xin (Alice) is a certified Master of Chinese calligraphy with the Chinese Calligraphy and Literature Association.
Xin has had a fascination for calligraphy since childhood and loves not only the creativity of this art form but also the peace of mind from the preparation of the ink using a traditional inkstone and the sound of the brush on rice paper.
Xin’ journey with calligraphy started at age five under the influence of her grandfather living in Shanghai. Learning calligraphy wasn’t her intention, she was following her grandfather to grind ink and prepare brush and paper for him.
But as her observed, her heart was drawn into this ink game more and more, and soon she started learning calligraphy. After years of practicing, Xin finds calligraphy is an interesting art to learn, it is a process almost like philosophy that trains people’s attention, trains us to focus on the moment, to find our own inner peace.
