【Reporter: Shi Yao-Yu】

The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, in collaboration with artist and legislator Huang Kuo-Shu, is hosting “Traversing Rivers & Mountains – The Calligraphy Exhibition of Huang Kuo-Shu” at the Wenhua Hall. This marks Huang’s second major solo exhibition in 14 years, showcasing his deep connection to the land and gratitude through calligraphic artistry. The exhibition integrates diverse inspirations, demonstrating innovative ink designs and a wide range of calligraphic styles.

Spanning five decades of artistic dedication, this exhibition reflects both a retrospective of Huang’s different creative stages and a new beginning. It is divided into four main themes: “Traversing Time and Space,” “Strength and Grace in Harmony,” “Boundless in a Limited Space,” and “Flowing Like Clouds and Water,” featuring a total of 115 calligraphy works.

Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, curator and founder of the Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Group, explains that Huang’s works draw from the essence of historical calligraphy masters and contemporary visual arts, blending classical and modern aesthetics. In addition to traditional poetry and famous literary quotes, this exhibition also prominently features Taiwanese proverbs that embody local spirit, such as “Formosa,” “Leaping Streams and Crossing Ridges,” “Rejoicing with Grassroots Drums and Gongs,” and “Heaven Takes Care of the Innocent.”

During the opening remarks, Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te praised Huang Kuo-Shu as the “two-way star of Taiwan’s art scene, akin to Shohei Ohtani.” Just as Ohtani dominates both pitching and hitting in Major League Baseball, Huang excels in both politics and the arts. His mastery spans various calligraphy styles, including seal script, clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script, making each of his works as skillful and precise as a signature pitch.

Director Wang Lan-sheng of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall emphasized the exhibition’s exceptional artistic value. The collection includes screen panels, couplets, standalone pieces, and small-scale works, thoughtfully arranged with careful attention to size, color tones, and display aesthetics. Beyond calligraphy, visitors will experience the chivalric spirit of a wandering swordsman, the wisdom of classical literature, Zen-infused Buddhist verses, and the rustic charm of local Taiwanese culture. Moreover, the exhibition reveals the literary elegance of a political scholar, exuding the dignity and refinement of a true gentleman—perfectly complementing the setting of the Wenhua Hall.

Most of the exhibited works are newly created this year. Notably, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Taiwan Cultural Association on October 17, Huang’s piece “Happily a Citizen of the World” carries special significance. The exhibition welcomes all visitors, with the artist hoping to inspire collective efforts in upholding democracy.