Abstract

Manny Ling has created a body of calligraphy work specifically for the group exhibition ‘Their Colours and Their Forms’ at the Wordsworth Museum. The main focus for the work is to develop a visual response to Wordsworth’s poetry through calligraphy writing with cross-cultural approaches. Some of the work is also the result of the collaboration with the eminent poet and Professor of English, John Strachan. By drawing parallels from Wordsworth and Strachan’s poetry, Ling has developed a new and unique calligraphy script in order to visually interpret their poetry. He has also explored the cross-cultural contexts of Wordsworth’s poetry by using traditional Chinese calligraphy materials, techniques and aesthetics.

Through close collaboration with the curators of the museum, the editors and collaborating artists, he also designed the catalogue for the exhibition.