Flushing artist pens book featuring Chinese Seals
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
You won’t find these chops in any
recipe.
Possessing an aura of mystery, ancient
art forms called chops or seals,
are way more than just unique motifs.
You can find an amazing collection of
his Chinese seals featured in a new
art book by artist Simon Zeng, a longtime
Flushing resident who came to
the U.S. from China in 1996.
Part of our rich global history since
the Dark and Middle Ages, the legacy
of these strange, beautifully carved
seal stamps belongs not only to Asia
but also to the entire world. With roots
dating back thousands of years, they’re
an age-old method of signing one’s
name, be it on an official document, a
piece of art, or a note to a friend. Chinese
seals can also represent a variety
of characteristics, including “Peace,”
“Wisdom,” and “Harmony.”
Showcasing 150 of his most striking
brush calligraphy seal works,
Zeng’s recently published “Leave
the Mark in the Snow” (White Pine
Press), is an homage to the artist’s
wonderful heritage. His tome, which
also explains the history and significance
of Chinese chop art, is the first
official seal book published in America
by an “Eastern” immigrant artist,
according to the author.
“A very traditional art form but also
appreciated by the modern art scene,
seal engraving art is very important
in the Oriental art category,” Zeng explained.
“I studied this art when I was
living in China and was taught by my
teacher Master Liu Zhanao. He praised
me to his students and some media for
my excellence.”
Zeng added: “Since I came to the
United States, I have lived on my artworks,
and some customers have ordered
engraved works from me; now
I have accumulated a lot. I wanted to
pick out 150 and publish a portfolio,
so that everyone can see my carved
works. People can see the beauty of
ancient hieroglyphs from 2,000 years
ago.”
The classical scripts in the book
include the most ancient form from
the oracle bone script used in Shang
Dynasty to other scripts used in Ching
Dynasty. Readers can appreciate
a rich variety of all forms of classical
scripts.
Old-time and modern-day makers
like Zeng, have typically carved chops
on a small block of stone, but they can
also be made of wood, bamboo, bone,
or ceramic. When used, the stamps
are dipped in either red ink or cinnabar
paste. Engravings on the seal face
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.26 COM | JAN. 10-JAN. 16, 2020
can follow several calligraphy styles,
which master engravers work hard
to develop. Common carvings include
Chinese characters, landscapes, figures,
birds, or flowers.
A personal chop in red color is an
integrated part of a Chinese painting
or calligraphy, which is not only
the signature of the artist on the artwork,
but also an essential touch to
liven it up.
A typical seal is usually carved using
a special knife; that’s how Zeng
creates his. “The stone’s name sic
are Qingtian or shoushan stone from
South China. In my seal works, all
classic ancient characters,” he added,
noting that the book is available at the
World Journal Book Store in Flushing
(136-19 38th Ave.), where for 15 years,
prints of his paintings have been
shown and sold. His book can also be
found at the Princeton University Art
Museum in New Jersey.
The artist also noted that he wrote
about seals art design for a book by
another author: “The Art of Chinese
Chops” (Ivy Press), which was available
for a while at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art.
The Queens creative paints and
sells other artwork, like his oil and
watercolor portraits and landscapes.
A while back, Zeng had several annual
solo exhibitions at Pacific college
of Oriental Medicine in Manhattan,
where he taught art. He also exhibited
at the annual Washington Square outdoor
art exhibit in the city, and elsewhere.
You can find the book on Amazon
at www.amazon.com/Leave-
Snow_Chinese-Seals-Simon-Xianwen/
dp/1945680237.
Flushing artist Simon Zeng
Tues. & Wed. $1895
1 1/4 lb. Lobster, Clams, and Mussels
Served with Corn on the Cob
and Baked Potato
with Purchase of 2 Cocktails,
2 Wines or 2 Beers
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