Introduction – Nicole Chenut Solo Calligraphy Exhibition By Ngan Siu-Mui

It is indeed quite unexpected that my first student, who has a solo exhibition of Chinese calligraphy, could be Nicole Chenut, a French lady. From 1990, Nicole Chenut learned calligraphy from me and after only three months was so absorbed into the calligraphy realm that she had since indefatigably devoted herself to studying and copying the calligraphy rubbings and manuscript from different ages. Skilful in all the five calligraphic styles of seal, clerical, cursive, regular and running scripts, Nicole could infuse her personal artistic flavor into the technique of calligraphy. Hence in whatever style she presents the calligraphy artwork there invariably reveals a feeling of harmony and unity. It was said formerly, “calligraphy means resembling, whether the learning, the person, the idea, in short, the calligrapher as a whole.” On having a deep-seated foundation in calligraphic skill, Nicole’s artworks show forth the fortitude and yet gentleness of her personalities - a prototype of a sentimental person.

Almost ignorant of the Chinese characters, the achievements of Nicole’s calligraphy has confirmed my conviction that although executed through the medium of Chinese to express the inner world of the calligrapher, there still exists ample room for anyone to learn this art even without knowing Chinese characters.

Throughout the years, the calligraphic rubbings and manuscripts that Nicole profited in her studies included: The Stone Drums text, The Yin Foo Canon in seal script by Tang Shek-Yue, Stone gate Epitaph, various kinds of running scripts by Mei Fei, The Ritual vesseL tablet, the regular script by Ngan Chun-Hing and the Self-introduction by Wei So. Among these, it was Mei Fei’s running script that she spent the greatest effort. No wonder her classmates jokingly nickname her as the Mei Fei of Montreal. Written in the 2nd edition of the Month of Chinese calligraphy, 2000, her article on copying Mei Fei demonstrated her insightful opinion.

Nicole and me have passed through a long journey in the calligraphy art and have established a subtle relationship not only as the teacher-student but also friends. On the one hand, she has dedicated herself to art while on the other hand; she involved herself positively in the affairs of the Society so as to promote this art. Rendered her utmost efforts both in the 1st edition of the Month of Chinese Calligraphy as well as in the publication of my book “Chinese Calligraphy, Abstract art, Mind painting”. As a result these two projects achieved the desired objectives admirably.

As an art worker, I would like to conclude by commending Nicole’s efforts in promoting one of the world’s great culture heritages – the Chinese calligraphy. As a teacher, I earnestly wish that this artistically talented student would persevere to advance her calligraphic skill to the highest level of excellence.