The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall’s January Cultural Lecture Series featured Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, founder of the Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Group and the first Chinese scholar to earn a PhD in Art Authentication. On the afternoon of January 5, he delivered a lecture titled “Authenticating Calligraphy and Paintings Isn’t Difficult” at the Memorial Hall’s auditorium, offering an insightful analysis of “Decoding the Da Vinci Code of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting.” The event was attended by a distinguished crowd, including collectors, artists, auctioneers, and calligraphy masters. It not only enriched the audience’s cultural perspectives but also deepened their appreciation of art.

During the lecture, Dr. Ye discussed the global art market, the fundamentals of authentication, and his systematic and scientific “Painting/Calligraphy Authenticity Evaluation Chart,” which is based on Western artistic methodology. He also shared his experiences visiting world-renowned museums, presenting rare firsthand materials, and analyzing cases such as the authentication of historically significant Hu Shi manuscripts—demonstrating how he turned “trash into gold.” Additionally, he recounted the rediscovery of a rare early painting by contemporary Chinese oil painter Zhou Chun-ya from 28 years ago.

A Q&A session followed, during which Dr. Ye emphasized that with art investment becoming a key component of asset allocation, the prevalence of forgeries and fraud necessitates that everyone learn basic authentication skills. He generously shared insights from his extensive work “Mo Hai Chun Qiu—Collection and Connoisseurship Research into Chinese Painting and Calligraphy,” even introducing trade-specific terminology—such as “Kai Men” (open door), “Sheng Huo” (raw goods), and “Singapore”—which amused the audience. Through his lecture, attendees realized that “the devil is in the details” and that distinguishing authenticity requires true expertise.

Before the lecture, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Director Liang Yung-fei praised Dr. Ye, not only as a scholar with deep expertise but also as a distinguished artist, internationally recognized authenticator, and auctioneer—combining four exceptional talents into one. Liang further highlighted Dr. Ye’s impressive credentials, including his PhD in Art Authentication from London Metropolitan University, his tenure as an assistant professor at NTNU’s Fine Arts Department and NTUA’s Calligraphy and Painting Department, his role as Chairman of the Taiwan Committee for the UK SPEY/Prince Charles Foundation Art Scholarship, and his work as an authentication lecturer for the Criminal Investigation Bureau, as well as serving as a chief consultant for European and American art funds and the Taipei Huang Junbi Art Foundation.

Notably, Dr. Ye is the first Chinese scholar to earn a PhD in Art Authentication and has authenticated calligraphy and paintings for collectors and auction houses worldwide. As a rising authority in the international art authentication field, he is a close interdisciplinary friend of renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry C. Lee. Recently, he even delivered a lecture at the Taipei City Police Department’s Forensics Center, helping investigators enhance their expertise in handling art forgery and fraud cases.

To further pass on his knowledge, Dr. Ye has established the Mo Hai Lou Art Appreciation Museum in a prime Taipei location. This space serves as both a library and an authentication center, providing a venue for reading, authentication studies, lectures, and academic exchange. After the lecture, Dr. Ye warmly invited all art enthusiasts to visit and explore the world of authentication.

[Source: China Times]