In the ancient Qin and Han dynasties, many excellent calligraphersemerged. During the Jin and Tang dynasties, masters and talentsappeared one after another and wrote wonderful calligraphy, muchof it considered classic. Numerous great masters also emerged betweenthe Song and Yuan dynasties, creating excellent calligraphyeven while drinking and also establishing various schools. Thereafter,the rulers made great efforts to promote calligraphy as anart, and researchers strove to record it and explain it in books. Asa constituent of Chinese culture, calligraphy evolved into a fine artin various styles from practical use.Since the early 1920s, calligraphyhas been confronted with many obstacles. Although Mr. CaiYuanpei wanted to “establish a calligraphy specialization” at artcolleges, calligraphy was not a part of the national art exhibition.From 1949 to 1979, calligraphy activities were regarded as “minority”art with only a few relevant fairs. The concept of excludingcalligraphy from art circles has confined the “art” in narrow sensemuch more limited, and has affected the scope of collections andresearch by art museums as well as the arrangement of specializationcurriculums at art colleges.
　　The 1980s, on the other hand, were a fortunate and welcome timefor calligraphy. It’s true that a single spark can start a prairie fire:the Chinese Calligraphers Association and many other local calligraphersassociations were founded, a variety of public societiesand organizations devoted to calligraphy came into being, andcalligraphy began to be studied in higher education. These developmentswere undoubtedly inspiring to calligraphy artists.It was amilestone in calligraphy circles when the National Art Museum ofChina started collecting calligraphy works and prepared to buildspecial calligraphy rooms. This was met with the approval of therelevant national cultural departments. The museum has formallyincluded calligraphy in the fields of academia and research, andhas organized a series of activities, such as “Invitation to an Exhibitionof Fine Calligraphy by Contemporary Masters”, “The FirstNomination Exhibition of Fine Works by Famous ContemporaryCalligraphers”, and “An Invitation to an Exhibition of Calligraphyfor the Beijing Olympics”. The museum has also called upon eliteartists to exchange ideas, and has tried to reestablish calligraphyto its rightful place in the art world. Living in a time of culturalchanges at home and abroad, we hope to rejuvenate the Chineseculture. We have felt it is our true responsibility and historicalmission to promote the splendid and historical calligraphy ofChinese characters, and to redefine the modern connotation of theelites in traditional culture at a higher standing point. To do that,we plan to publish a new book entitled “A Collection of Works byContemporary Masters at the National Art Museum of China: CalligraphySection”, which will gather together many masters withdifferent styles. Such a collection will be suited for both researchersand readers.
　　Wang Xueling is a creative young calligrapher with profound skillin standard script. He makes remarkable achievements throughresearching standard script in the Tang dynasty over the years,especially Yangxun Ou, Shinan Yu. His calligraphy is of refineddisposition at first impression, which might be related to his devotionto writing and traditional culture. It is his professional temperamentthrough long years of military life that fosters resoluteand steadfast flavor in his calligraphy. The two kinds of flavor arerather commendable in the busy and flourishing times at present.The publication of such a collection is expected to make us clearlyrealize the many factors affecting the development of Chinesecontemporary art and how to explore its future through new creations.With great support and concern from all walks of life, theNational Art Museum of China will make its contribution to thedevelopment of Chinese calligraphy, and leave a legacy for thedevelopment of calligraphy art for generations to come.Fan Di’an
　　Director of the National Art Museum of China
　　August 2007