TRACING THE ANCIENT TRANSCENDING

THE MODERN: PU TZU'S EXPLORATION AND INNOVATION IN ART

Pu Tzu, a renowned contemporary calligrapher from Taiwan, was celebrated for creating works that offer a unique visual and spiritual experience. He blended the profound tradition of calligraphy with modern artistic innovation. His mastery is not only evident in the extraordinary skill of writing but also in the artistic expression and cosmic worldview that his work embodies.

Falling Flowers (Lot 633) was inspired by one of Pu Tzu’s poems, reflecting his serene contentment in his later years at the “Old Mango Tree Studio.” Along with his dedication in calligraphy, his personal hobbies were also reflected in his creations. As a student of poet Zhou Zhifu, his literary exposure had a vivid influence on his works. This piece captures the fleeting moment of falling petals from a tree. The fragmented brushstrokes, enhanced by the feathery (feibai) technique, balance with moist ink, evoking an imagery of tiny white flowers descending onto the humid ground. This symbolizes the cycle of nature and the transience of all beings.

In Sway (Lot 632), Pu Tzu recreated cursive script from the style of ancient mural poetry. He possessed a ""stringless"" guqin, interpreted with the Daoist concept of “serenity of great music.” Pu Tzu integrated the dynamism, rhythm, and melody of calligraphy into the act of writing, crafting a visual representation of ""dance"" in this work. This work juxtaposes movement and stillness in calligraphy, showcasing the multifaceted nature of cursive script— neither Purely realistic nor abstract. Instead of imitating classical works, here Pu Tzu wrote from the first person’s point of view, offering his own understanding. This allows viewers not only to appreciate the art but also to hear the artist’s voice, creating a profound resonance.

Calligraphy in Running Script (Lot 622) is a classic example of Pu Tzu’s concept of ""Tracing the Ancient, Transcending the Modern."" This piece combines clerical script with cursive script, depicting Qing Dynasty scholar Kang Youwei’s commentary on Tang Dynasty calligrapher Yan Zhenqing’s work. Pu Tzu began his calligraphy practice in Yan’s style. His brushstrokes are thick and saturated in angular and curved forms, presenting an orderly yet rigorous structure. The hero, General Pei, was renowned for his martial prowess and was appointed by the emperor to lead his troops at the front to protect the country. General Pei’s nobility inspired Yan Zhenqing to compose a poem in his honour. The original piece by Yan was a mix of regular, running, and cursive scripts, and was renowned as a masterpiece in history. Pu Tzu added an innovative touch by incorporating three characters of General Pei (Pei Jiangjun) from Yan’s original work, echoing Yan’s innovative spirit of his time. This reflects Pu Tzu’s deep connection to calligraphy history, allowing him to trace the ancient and create in his own expression, thus transcending the modern.

The Sukhavativyuha Sutra (Lot 611) is one of Pu Tzu’s rare small-character Zhangcao (ancient cursive) works, where each character stands independently yet connected to the others. Zhangcao, a transitional form between clerical and cursive scripts, was briefly popular but later became rare. Pu Tzu’s spiritual sensitivity is evident in his works, with his continued practices in meditation and sutra writing as part of his spiritual purification. Though the sutra appears to be written in a continuous process, it would have been completed over several days. How could such consistency be achieved? It was through the purity of the mind from meditation. The strokes in this work are restrained yet lively, exuding a meditative joy.

Pu Tzu’s calligraphy is deeply rooted in tradition, yet boldly innovative. His works, in terms of form, scale, and content, display a strong personal style—free-flo wing and unrestrained—charting a new path for the art of calligraphy. His artistic energy has not diminished since his passing but is becoming increasingly recognized and appreciated. At a time when contemporary ink art is expanding, perhaps it is time to revisit Pu Tzu’s works closely.