New English Calligraphy is a fusion of written English and written Chinese. The letters of an English word are slightly altered and arranged in a square word format so that the word takes on the ostensible form of a Chinese character, yet remains legible to the English reader. As people attempt to recognize and write these words, some of the thinking patterns that have been ingrained in them since they learned to read are challenged. It is the artists’ belief that people must have their routine thinking attacked in this way.

New English Calligraphy workshops by the artist prompt this attack (with the assistance of instructional videos and copybooks). While undergoing this process of estrangement and re-familiarization with one’s written language, the audience is reminded that the sensation of distance between other systems of language and one’s own is largely self-induced.

The simple version of the Introduction to Square Word Calligraphy Book is offset printed on regular white paper and bound in a traditional booklet format of the Red-Line Tracing Book. It is also accompanied by one copy of the Red-Line Tracing Book. This set of books provides instruction and practice space for the basic principles of New English Calligraphy, a writing system invented and designed by the artist. 

Offset print. Edition of 350, with 100 signed. 2001.