Page 15 - 2023不累不飾-任容清七十書法紀念展

Unburdened and Unadorned:

The Memorial Calligraphy Exhibition of Ren Rung-Ching’s 70th Anniversary

Unburdened and Unadorned was selected from Mr. Ren Rung- for mutual observation, learning, and exchange. He also published
Ching’s eight-character couplet of the Nanhuajing excerpt, which was academic journals and trained countless talents.
based on the following quote from Zhuangzi: Tianxia, “unburdened by In 1983, Mr. Ren joined the Taichung Lotus Society to study The
customs, unadorned by objects, follow propriety in conduct, and thrive Analects of Confucius as well as Buddhist studies and practices, as a
harmoniously in music." Mr. Ren signed and noted the piece with path to self-cultivation and spiritual growth. His stayed continuous on
“not bound by worldly conventions, nor external things to embellish the journey of studying Buddhism, like a dedicated student diligently
oneself; using propriety to conduct one's behavior, and music to attending classes. However, unlike traditional academics with a
flourish in harmonious nature,” fully embodying and reflecting fixed graduation time frame, this pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong
the close relationship between calligraphy and his personal artistic endeavor, aiming to find enlightenment and inspiration through deep
cultivation. contemplation and sincere practice. In Mr. Ren's calligraphy, one can
Mr. Ren Rung-Ching’s family was originally from Yueyang perceive the subtle and transformative effects it has on the viewer, as
County, Hunan Province. Apart from his style name Tiande, he in an imperceivable influence and a sense of energy.
also named himself with the pseudonyms Xiaoshu and Yuyanglou As a practitioner of calligraphy, Mr. Ren Rung-Ching had
(after the masterpiece that established the integration of Buddhism, meticulously planned and presented his artwork in ten-year cycles,
Laozi, and Zhuangzi philosophies), using signatures such Chief of using his Buddhist and persistent calligraphy practices as a means to
Yuyanglou, Master of Yuyanglou, Jinxu, Jinyi, and many more. Born explore his inner self. The exhibition aims to continue Mr. Ren Rung-
in 1954 in Taichung City, he was enlightened in the art of calligraphy Ching's legacy, showcasing his calligraphy journey and artistic context
by his father during his childhood, thus gaining the nickname "Little through four aspects: awards and exhibitions, teaching and learning,
Wang Xizhi" as a child. After winning a calligraphy competition in exchanges and activities, as well as Buddhism and poetry. We hope
junior high and receiving a catalogue on calligraphy, he developed that this exhibition will present the life and artistic development of Mr.
a deep admiration for the art and became determined to pursue such Ren Rung-Ching, and further explore the artistic essence that underlies
aspiration. After graduating from Taichung First Senior High School, his journey. The following are detailed descriptions of each aspect:
during which he was encouraged by his teachers to participate in
I. Awards and Exhibitions
calligraphy competitions and received great achievements time after
Mr. Ren Rung-Ching has been winning first places in calligraphy
time, he was admitted into the Department of Civil Engineering at
competitions since his junior high school years, including provincial
Chung Yuan Christian University. There he became the President of
junior high school and national high school contests. He began
the Calligraphy Club and founded the "Ten Dullards (Shidai) of Chung
organizing college calligraphy contests during university to promote
Yuan" calligraphy team, actively participating in calligraphy activities.
the art and culture, while successively participating in the Chinese
In 1977, he became a disciple of the Venerable Master Benhui (Sir
and Japanese Youth Calligraphy Exhibition, where he received the
Ren Bo-Wu), then later studied under Mr. Chen Qi-Chuan and Mr. Li
second-place silver medal, and his works were placed under the
Pu-Tong, thus stepping foot into the calligraphy academic system.
collections of National Museum of History. After graduating from
Not only did Mr. Ren delve deep into cultivating the art of
university, Mr. Ren submitted his artworks to the Provincial Fine Art
calligraphy, he also devoted himself to promoting calligraphy
Exhibition, where he was immediately selected and received honors as
education in Taiwan. In order to broaden and popularize this art, he
such the Excellence Award, the Superintendent of Education Award,
took up the role of an advisor or instructor in calligraphy clubs at
the Provincial Government Award, and had his works placed under
various universities and workshops at public institutions. He also
the collections of National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. He also
founded a private school to continue his mission, teaching for over
won first place in the adult category for calligraphy at the National
four decades since its establishment. In addition, Mr. Ren had been
Taiwan Language Contest, second place in the adult category at the
invited to provide compulsory classes at Taichung Prison from 1997
first National Golden Goose Calligraphy Award, second place in the
to 1999 and aided in the education and enlightenment of prisoners,
calligraphy category of the Arts Exhibition of Taiwan Central, a silver
which became a touching and impactful experience in his teaching
medal at the National Youth Calligraphy Exhibition, and many more.
career. In 2010, Mr. Ren traveled with the Chinese Calligraphy
His numerous awards and outstanding achievements had already
association to Hanshan Study (now known as Hanshan Normal
brought him wide recognition at the time.
University) and taught in workshops for calligraphy minor courses,
During his time in university, Mr. Ren became a disciple of the
as well as expanding his educational contributions to China. In efforts
Venerable Master Benhui (Sir Ren Bo-Wu). The Master’s guidance for
to provide students with better and improved teaching content, Mr.
Mr. Ren was to “not neglect academic studies, as it is the duty of a
Ren began contemplating the idea of conducting stone inscription
student. Continuous practice and dedication to calligraphy during
and rubbing restorations to improve the learning materials, under Mr.
the free time would eventually yield excellent results… Progress
Cheng Tsung-Ming's guidance and encouragement. The aim was to
will be made in time with hard work, and ‘no pain, no gain’ is the
help the knowledge and aesthetics of calligraphy become an internal
immutable truth.” After graduating, Mr. Ren found employment at
part of the public’s daily lives. On the other hand, Mr. Ren established
the Ret-Ser Engineering Agency, but he never abandoned his passion
calligraphy societies to cultivate seeded teachers, building platforms
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