Zhang Zili

Zhang Zili, male, was born in 1935 in Yuzhou City, Henan Province. He is a member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association and the Chinese Poetry Society. He is also a member of the Henan Calligraphers Association and the Henan Artists Association. He once served as the vice chairman of the Xuchang Calligraphy Association and the chairman of both the Yuzhou Literary and Art Federation and the Calligraphy Association. His calligraphy and painting works have won awards many times in domestic and international exhibitions. His works have been published in several newspapers such as People's Daily (Overseas Edition), Henan Daily, and Calligraphy Newspaper. Dozens of overseas exhibition work collections such as "The Collection of Famous Chinese Calligraphy and Painting" and "The Grand View of Famous Scenic Poems and Essays in China" include his works, and many cultural museums and scenic spot steles collect his engraved stones. He has published several books including "Selected Works of Zhang Zili's Calligraphy and Painting", "Casual Verses of Following Fate", and "Calligraphy and Painting Works Collection of Zhang Zili: Only Heart and Mind". Broad-mindedness Melts into Clouds and Smoke --- Remembering Painter and Calligrapher Zhang Zili Reporter Lü Chaofeng and Wang Zengyang from the People's Daily In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Chinese arts and culture gradually formed a model of combining poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, which continued to modern times and produced numerous masters. In the four aspects of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, Zhang Zili has achieved remarkable accomplishments, becoming a rare all-rounder in Henan's calligraphy circle. At the age of over eighty, when Zhang Zili picks up the brush, he seems to immediately enter a world of calligraphy and painting art, with his brush strokes like flying dragons, and his aura grand and imposing. Shortly after the Start of Autumn, on a cool morning, this reporter visited the calligrapher and painter Zhang Zili at his invitation to listen to him recount his life-long immersion in traditional Chinese art. Kneeling in Snow to Copy Scriptures to Cure Stubbornness "Only heart and mind can traverse the path of calligraphy, breaking through thorns and crossing peaks. Kneeling in snow to copy scriptures cures stubbornness, climbing ladders to change bones like pills." Zhang Zili summarized his entry into the world of calligraphy and painting with a poem. In 1935, Zhang Zili was born in a scholarly family in Yuzhou City. The nourishment of heavy Central Plains culture and the influence of a strong family atmosphere made Zhang Zili deeply understand the art of calligraphy and painting during his youth. Zhang Zili's father was a teacher and also an excellent calligrapher and painter, who once worked as a clerk for the original Yuzhou government and the provincial finance department. Through his interactions with famous local painters, Zhang Zili developed a keen interest in calligraphy and painting. At that time, the various assignments Zhang Zili wrote in elementary school were all completed with a brush. Besides daily lessons, his father would give him extra calligraphy homework every day. During Zhang Zili's calligraphy studies, kneeling in snow to practice calligraphy was a memorable experience. Due to not completing his father's assigned homework, Zhang Zili was punished by being made to kneel in the snow to continue practicing calligraphy. "My great-grandfather did silk business, and my father was sent to private school since young and later attended normal school, having good cultural foundation. However, after my great-grandfather passed away, our family gradually declined. My father had six children, and I am the eldest. I left school before finishing junior high school to make a living," Zhang Zili said. When he was 12 years old, he could independently go down to the fields to harvest wheat and push the harvested wheat back home using a wheelbarrow. The difficult family situation forced Zhang Zili to leave school early and become an apprentice at a pharmacy in Yancheng County. Being able to read and write, he was highly respected by the boss. Due to his mother's critical illness, Zhang Zili returned to Yuzhou after one year as an apprentice. At the age of 17, Zhang Zili planned to start working. Naive and young, he went alone to the then city government and found the staff there, saying he wanted a job. When Zhang Zili showed his short self-introduction to the supervisor at that time, the person was surprised that this teenager had such writing and calligraphy skills. He passed the test on the spot. Later, Zhang Zili was arranged to be a teacher. In March 1952, Zhang Zili was assigned to teach at Huashi Township because of his family background, and he moved to Baisha Primary School to teach. Later, Zhang Zili participated in the Putonghua training organized by the county and achieved excellent results, being retained as a counselor. In 1957, Zhang Zili returned to Yuzhou to serve as the principal of a primary school at the age of 22. Also in 1957, the blood-and-thunder Zhang Zili was labeled as a rightist for writing a big-character poster titled "New Chen Shimei." A Hundred Bends Without Regret "Kind-hearted old man pities the suffering of book lovers, wise man talks nonsense about the fate of old man. A hundred bends without regret, broad-mindedness melts clouds and smoke." When talking about the past, Zhang Zili has already looked at those experiences very lightly. During the turbulent times, Zhang Zili experienced political pressure and material hardship, yet he always maintained a calm mindset. He worked hard to support his family and poured more passion into calligraphy and painting art, expressing his emotions through them. In a self-narrative text, Zhang Zili wrote: "My teenage years were spent enduring the hardships of famine and war. In my youth and middle age, I underwent baptism in chaotic political storms. The only comfort during that period was that my calligraphy and painting always earned admiration from peers. From copying posters, setting up columns, to writing large banners, slogans, and Spring Festival couplets, to being invited to inscribe plaques on buildings, and even decorating the halls and living rooms of institutions and friends' homes... gradually gaining widespread recognition from society and the public..." Initially, the labeled rightist Zhang Zili couldn't accept it and felt immense pressure. Later, he came to terms with it and took full responsibility for posting the big-character poster. Zhang Zili accepted the demotion but retained position punishment and continued participating in transformation while teaching. In addition to teaching, Zhang Zili also worked as a grass cutter and shepherd. While herding sheep, Zhang Zili drew sketches on scraps of paper. In 1958, three painting groups were established in Chengguan Town, specifically for painting propaganda posters. Zhang Zili was transferred to one of these groups and appointed as the group leader. During that time, the capable writer and painter Zhang Zili often traveled around, climbing ladders to write slogans and paint propaganda posters, which became his most important daily tasks. Over the span of 10 years, he concealed his emotions and earnestly wrote his own calligraphy and painting legend, finding spiritual solace even in those cold winters. In 1962, Zhang Zili's calligraphy piece "Brows raised coldly against thousands of fingers, bowing head willingly to be a calf" was selected for the Modern Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition of Henan Province. This was the first time his calligraphy works left Yuzhou, gradually gaining people's recognition. In 1984, Zhang Zili was commissioned by the organization to take charge of establishing the original Yuzhou Literary and Art Federation. After taking charge of the federation, Zhang Zili never neglected his calligraphy and painting creation. In Zhang Zili's view, calligraphy as an art form can lead one into a refined and tranquil realm, both entertaining and captivating. Learning has no end, and the ocean of art knows no bounds; calligraphy is like this, and the path of art knows no limit. Once captivated by its charm, one must commit to it for life. Breaking Out of the Shell, Unfinished Love Due to the poverty of his youth, Zhang Zili did not finish junior high school. However, during his daily teaching, he diligently studied and continuously improved his cultural level. In 1983, the first calligraphy art correspondence college in the country was established in Wuxi. Zhang Zili participated in three years of formal calligraphy art training and received the first Outstanding Student Award. "This learning experience not only enhanced my theoretical knowledge and calligraphy skills but also allowed me to establish a deep friendship with one of the teachers, with whom I corresponded for 30 years," Zhang Zili said. During the study period, he befriended a local teacher named Hua Jishan. Over 30 years, their exchanged letters numbered in the hundreds, with deep friendship expressed between the lines. In 1985, Zhang Zili established six associations including literature, calligraphy, fine arts, photography, music and dance, and opera in Yuzhou and concurrently served as the chairman of the calligraphy association. That same year, he organized the first calligraphy competition in Yuzhou. He won an award in the Henan Calligraphers Association Calligraphy Series Exhibition - Regular Script Exhibition that year and joined the Henan Calligraphers Association. For over 60 years, Zhang Zili's works have been selected for national exhibitions such as the Sixth National Calligraphy and Seal Carving Exhibition of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, the First Fan Calligraphy Works Exhibition of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, and the Fifth International Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Carving Art Exhibition. He has won numerous awards. As a renowned figure and founder of the Yuzhou calligraphy circle, Zhang Zili has made tireless efforts for the development of Yuzhou's calligraphy and painting cause and achieved abundant results. He excels in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, and is proficient in five styles of calligraphy: regular script, clerical script, running script, cursive script, and seal script. Especially in calligraphy, his style is characterized by being substantial yet elegant, rigorous yet natural, precise yet broad-minded. His works of clerical script, running script, and cursive script are majestic, structurally balanced, and ancient in style, with his thoughts embedded within, exuding a sense of grandeur. Poetry expresses aspirations, calligraphy conveys emotions, calligraphy is the handwriting of the heart, and poetry is the voice of the heart. Zhang Zili compiled his created poems, couplets, and other works into a selection titled "Casual Verses of Following Fate," mainly consisting of poems, depicting people and events. Zhang Zili presented点滴 of his life through poems, lyrics, and couplets, adding a unique charm. "I have always admired scholar-calligraphers. Calligraphy and scholarship complement each other; merely quoting previous poets' works cannot make one a true calligrapher," Zhang Zili believed that artistic creation should have its own content. He integrated poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting, blending various qualities into one, incorporating seal script and clerical script techniques in his running and cursive works, using the brushwork of seal script and running script in his paintings. His works possess the ancient and vigorous aura of metal and stone as well as the rhythm and artistic conception of poetry. For many years, Zhang Zili has consistently upheld his views and perspectives on calligraphy and painting art, courageously speaking out on certain issues and problems. "Since Chinese calligraphy entered a revival path in the 1980s, it has gradually prospered and become a popular cultural art form with a broad base, and the professional calligrapher team has continued to expand. However, driven by economic interests, calligraphy art has gradually become a stepping stone for some people to pursue fame and fortune." In Zhang Zili's view, any art inherently carries moral obligations, and as creators of the works, they must have a serious attitude toward their creations and a responsible spirit toward society. "Calligraphy creation is also a serious and conscientious process because you are not just writing but creating spiritual food for others. One must not easily give inferior products to others, or else it harms both others and oneself," Zhang Zili said. Characters are a unique mark of a nation and a country. Calligraphy is part of traditional culture and must start from tradition, absorbing the strengths of others to forge one's own style. The saying goes: "As a person, so the character." Observing Zhang Zili's person and his works, this is indeed true. His relentless pursuit of calligraphy and painting art aligns with his cherished life ideals. For decades, Zhang Zili has remained calm and composed, quietly exuding a fresh and enduring charm. For many years, Zhang Zili rarely gained economic benefits from his calligraphy and painting works. "Many say that it's easy to get my calligraphy, which may be related to my personality. Creating calligraphy and painting is not necessarily for money. If I can gain spiritual satisfaction and receive social recognition and respect, I am content," Zhang Zili said. Perhaps it is this generous personality that has earned him an excellent reputation in the calligraphy circle. When his calligraphy and painting works collection was published, former presidents of the Chinese Calligraphers Association Shen Peng and Zhang Hai, as well as council member Li Gangtian, among others, wrote prefaces to express their congratulations. Like a song of the times, the sea of art knows no bounds. For over 60 years, Zhang Zili has remained indifferent to fame and profit, diligently cultivating in the realms of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving, achieving remarkable accomplishments. His calligraphy is uniquely styled; his paintings are vividly expressive; his poems are engaging; and his seals are ancient and square. For each work, he has always adhered to the principle of being appreciated by both the refined and the common, striving to achieve dual purposes of viewing and readability. "Originating from the same source, aiming for tranquility and elegance, freshness and grace; seal carving works are amateur productions, not knowing where the Qin and Han dynasties lie. Only hoping that these wishes and endeavors can stir up some ripples here and there in this place." Zhang Zili's modest words evoke admiration.