Fusion of Chinese calligraphy and Kung Fu attracts New York audience

The fusion of ancient art forms came to life in a mesmerizing display as renowned Chinese artist Wang Houtang brought his unique blend of calligraphy and Kung Fu to the Ethan Cohen Gallery at KuBe Art Center in Beacon, New York, on June 1.

The audience was spellbound as they witnessed the mesmerizing fusion of calligraphy and Kung Fu by Wang. Each brushstroke seemed to come alive, imbued with the energy and precision of martial arts, creating an unforgettable artistic experience for all who were present.

"For me, combining Chinese martial arts and calligraphy is an innovation. Fusing two great treasures of Chinese culture creates a unique writing style," said Wang, 72, at the opening ceremony of the exhibit that runs from June 1 to 30.

"Calligraphy is a method of expressing Chinese characters with a high degree of artistry, reflected in its strength and delicacy. Combined with Kung Fu, it further embodies the 'essence, energy, and spirit' of the practice ... by blending water and ink, different pictographic characters are vividly displayed," said Wang, who started learning calligraphy at the age of seven and Kung Fu at the age of nine under the influence of his grandfather.

"Today is so special, I think that you need to know you are connecting with 5,000 years of Chinese tradition on the walls all around us. This isn't just ink on the wall behind you ... it's a visual poem," said Ethan Cohen, owner of the Ethan Cohen Gallery, pointing to Wang's core piece -- Heart Sutra, which encapsulates the ink style known as "five shades of ink."

"It really is China today in Beacon, New York ... this center was created with the idea of cross-cultural collaboration," said Cohen, whose namesake gallery was founded in 1987 in SoHo, New York City. "We hope many more people will have the opportunity to learn and be inspired by everything in here."

Cohen emphasized that his center is dedicated to sharing cultures between the United States and China.

"I want to say having such a talent from China sharing with us in this community is so beautiful. Because this is a true living legacy to the pursuit that my parents gave to me of trying to educate, to open people's eyes about the power and the communication between China and America," he said.

Cohen comes from a family with deep connections to China and its culture. His parents are both scholars who have dedicated their lives to studying and teaching about China.

His father, Jerome Alan Cohen, is a renowned expert on Chinese law and has made significant contributions in the field. He served as the associate dean of the Harvard Law School and has been studying Chinese law since 1960. His mother, Joan Lebold Cohen, shares a passion for Chinese art and has co-authored books such as "China Today and Her Ancient Treasures," which showcases China's rich cultural heritage and artistic treasures.

"I also use movement in my art practice, so I felt a lot of kinship with the artist," said Donna Mikkelsen, one of the curators of Wang's exhibition. "It's multi-dimensional art because it incorporates so many things: spirituality, technique and skill, and deep meaning."

"Art is a universal language that everyone understands, so even if I don't know the characters, I don't know what each means, I can still appreciate the beauty. You can feel the power of it," she said.