Final year students donate masterpieces

Siblings-cum-final year students Tieu Kai Ping from UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and Tieu Kai Sern from Faculty of Engineering and Science, donated their calligraphy masterpieces to ICS and UTAR Library during a calligraphy exhibition at UTAR Perak Campus on 27 November 2013. 

Jointly organised by the ICS Chinese Arts Research Unit and UTAR Library, the exhibition is held at the  Perak Campus library until 11 December 2013. Besides the masterworks by the artistic duo, an array of magna opera by talented ICS lecturers, namely Prof Dr Lim Chooi Kwa, Dr Lee Kean Yau and other established local calligraphers such as Dr Cheng Haw Chien, Tan Gian Seng and Yee Sze Fook are also on display at the exhibition.

Present to receive the tribute gifts were ICS Dean Dr Chong Siou Wei and representatives of UTAR Library. "We've had calligraphy exhibition previously. However, this time, I am actually excited as this is the first time we see the calligraphy works of both teachers and students," he remarked, and extended his gratitude to Head of Chinese Arts Research Unit Dr Lim Chee Men for planning and organising the exhibition, and also to the brothers for their contribution. "It is my fervent hope that through cultural activities and events like these, the Chinese arts, culture and heritage will be promoted widely."

Dr Lim echoed Dr Chong's sentiments, and also expressed gratitude to the Taiwan Resource Centre for their patronage, the UTAR Library for venue sponsorship and all those who have contributed directly or indirectly to the success of the exhibition. "Nobody will be able to understand fully the toil and sweat behind each masterpiece," he told, and shared stories of him organising similar exhibitions during his university days.

 "13 years have passed before we knew it," said Kai Ping, when invited to share his thoughts. The soon-to-be graduand, who hails from Kuala Lumpur, shared stories of him and Kai Sern's journey in learning the age-old art and also joining calligraphy competitions nationwide. "This is my first exhibition but to me it feels more like producing a score report as I'm showing others the learning outcome after all this while," he joked, and also thanked his calligraphy teachers, his parents and ICS lecturers for their tireless mentoring and support. "Studying at ICS actually enriched my knowledge in Chinese history, literature, philosophy and more. It has helped to enhance my understanding of certain Chinese couplets and characters," he opined.

From left: Kai Sern, Dr Chong, representative from UTAR Library and Kai Ping.

The brothers and their family members admiring one of the masterpieces

Kai Sern explaining the story and meaning behind each calligraphy piece to Dr Chong, his father (in yellow), Dr Lim (second from right) and ICS Head of Department Mok Tuck Hau.

Representatives from ICS, the Tieu family and their friends taking a group photo at the exhibition