Presentations and honors for Plainsboro resident Bixing Zheng take place at Plainsboro Library on Saturday, October 20. The Chinese artist, who has volunteered many hours of time to the library, is returning to his homeland. “His generosity has been unparalleled,” says library director Jinny Baeckler. “He has been a treasure to Plainsboro.” ##M:[more]##
Bixing Zheng, a Chinese painter and calligrapher, was born in Szechuan Province, China in 1929. While still a youth, he was attracted to traditional calligraphy, although, his art career actually started after his retirement.
He came to the United States several years ago, and participated in many public activities, such as the Plainsboro Festival of the Arts and the Chinese New Year’s gala. He was named Community Artist of Plainsboro for his dynamic contributions, shining spirit, and great talent. Recently, he gave one hundred framed works of art to the Library, donating all proceeds to a fund for children’s books.
Zheng was the founder and director of the Institute for Poetry, Painting, and Calligraphy in Zhiyang County, China. He is also a board member in a variety of traditional painting and calligraphy associations for seniors in Szechuan Province. His works have been exhibited numerous times in China. Many of his pieces are in the collections of libraries, museums, and Buddhist temples.
Zheng’s artistic interests are wide and varied. To learn the art of traditional calligraphy on memorial monuments, he has copied and studied the craft of numerous artists throughout the dynasties. Having mastered the ancient art, he then developed his own style combining the strength of the traditional art with the radiance of the modern spirit. Zheng is particularly fond of experiments with the prehistory of calligraphy, wherein each character presents a far more complex and rounded image than the more familiar modern descendants.
In addition to his love for calligraphy, Zheng delights in traditional brush painting. His calligraphy and painting are often fused together and some of his favorite creations are images of bamboo.
The artist , who speaks no English, hopes his artwork speaks directly to his American friends, and that traditional Chinese art, as one small part of the Chinese culture, can be introduced and appreciated worldwide,” says Baeckler. “He pursues an ideal world of peace through art.”
Plainsboro Public Library, 641 Plainsboro Road, 609-275-2897. www.lmxac.org/Plainsboro. 6 to 8 p.m.
