'In addition to the fields of art and calligraphy, various fields such as literature, technology, music and religion must be studied, and then they can influence one’s work subtly. I like this process,' says Ong. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
“I have seen the wonder of a drop of dew glistening from a dangling needle, a shower of rock hailing down in a raging thunder, a flock of geese gliding, frantic beasts stampeding in terror, a phoenix dancing, a startled snake slithering away in fright, ” said Chinese calligrapher Sun Guoting (646-691) from the Tang Dynasty, on viewing calligraphy.
No doubt, Chinese calligraphy is beautifully handwritten text. But perhaps more significantly from a historical viewpoint, this form of self-expression and cultivation was a visual art form that was prized over all others.
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Ong Chia Koon's calligraphy
'In addition to the fields of art and calligraphy, various fields such as literature, technology, music and religion must be studied, and then they can influence one’s work subtly. I like this process,' says Ong. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Ong Chia Koon's 'The Matter Of Death' (ink on paper, 2020). Photo: The Back Room KL
'A Night-mooring On The Jiande River' (ink on rice paper, 2020). Photo: The Back Room KL
'Bird Calling In The Ravine (2)' (ink on rice paper, 2020). Photo: The Back Room KL
Ong’s 'Attentive In Drinking Tea' (ink on paper, 2020). Photo: The Back Room KL
Ong’s live calligraphy work seen at the No Black Tie jazz club’s Ivory Series in 2019. Photo: CK Studio
Calligraphy artist Ong Chia Koon strives to inject contemporary elements into his work. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
When Ong first encountered calligraphy, his first impression was that it was an impossible task to master control of the soft brush and write lines that express different feelings. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
A sample lettering from one of Ong's calligraphy stamps. Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star
