C'est la Chine - Netherlands | Aesthetics of Chinese characters: Calligraphy teacher from Shanghai encourages Dutch people to pick up writing brushes
Liza Lin, a Chinese calligraphy teacher, has dedicated her life to promoting Chinese culture in the Netherlands. Upon arriving in Europe, she noticed a common misconception: many Europeans mistook Chinese calligraphy and painting for Japanese art. This lack of recognition for Chinese culture motivated her to take action and introduce authentic Chinese calligraphy to the local community.
Liza Lin, originally from Shanghai, inherited her passion for calligraphy from her father, a fourth-generation student of Wu Changshuo, a renowned Chinese calligrapher and painter of the late Qing Dynasty. Growing up, she accompanied her father to visit masters of Chinese art and began practicing Yan Zhenqing's regular script and running script from a young age. Calligraphy became an integral part of her life, and her works have won awards in regional competitions in China.
In 2019, Liza Lin moved to the Netherlands to educate her children. There, she observed that Japanese cultural promotion had a much earlier start abroad, leading to a stronger presence of Japanese calligraphy classes. In contrast, Chinese calligraphy courses were scarce and often overlooked. Determined to showcase the uniqueness and richness of Chinese art, Liza Lin began teaching Chinese calligraphy and painting, aiming to highlight the differences between Chinese calligraphy and Japanese shodō.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed significant challenges to her efforts. Lin adapted by offering online classes and actively promoting her courses through advertisements and exhibitions. Over time, her perseverance paid off, and more students, including non-Chinese individuals, began joining her classes. Many of her students, unfamiliar with Chinese characters, still found beauty and meaning in the art form.
One of her Dutch students, Esther, a visual artist, has been learning Chinese calligraphy under Lin for two years. Despite not understanding Chinese characters, Esther appreciates practicing calligraphy's meditative and artistic aspects. She finds it improves her focus, steadies her hand, and enhances her visual perception. Esther was particularly moved by the meaning behind the Chinese phrase "問心" (ask your heart), which represents self-reflection and introspection. She described it as both poetic and deeply symbolic.
Liza Lin has also been invited to teach calligraphy workshops at universities and companies in the Netherlands, including The Hague University of Applied Sciences. She believes traditional Chinese culture is not just about art but also about the creation process, which fosters mindfulness and personal growth. Through her teaching, she hopes to change perceptions and introduce more Europeans to the beauty and depth of Chinese calligraphy and traditional culture.
As Liza Lin continues her journey, she emphasizes that cultural promotion is about more than teaching a skill—it is about sharing a way of life and understanding. By bridging cultures, she hopes to inspire a deeper appreciation of Chinese art, proving that traditional culture transcends borders and enriches lives worldwide.
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