Terry Luk \ Feilai Mountain
About the Artwork
A native of Nanhai, Guangdong Province, Terry Luk, an award-winning calligraphy master immigrated to the US in 1973 and took over his father’s printing business, Pacific Printing Co. in Chinatown, San Francisco. Over the past 51 years, Terry has continued his calligraphy, painting for the community on special occasions and awarded public art projects such as his installation at the upper plaza at Rose Pak Central Subway Station.
For All Eyes on Us, Luk presents five distinct styles of his virtuoso brushwork. Luk created his signature script as seen in the large-scale calligraphy of the Chinese character for “Mountain”. Presented beside the large-scale painting are four works that showcase Luk’s diverse and skillful calligraphy, documenting the Song Dynasty poem, Climbing Feilai Peak, by Anshi Wang.
Chinese: 《登飞来峰》 【宋】王安石 飞来山上千寻塔，闻说鸡鸣见日升。 不畏浮云遮望眼，自缘身在最高层。
English:
On Feilai Mountain, a thousand-footed tower stands tall,
They say at dawn, the rooster’s crow welcomes the rising sun.
I fear not drifting clouds that blur my sight,
For I stand at the highest height.
The poem conveys that the obstacles (floating clouds) cannot hinder one's vision when one has reached a higher perspective. As seen within the thematic context of the overall exhibition, the poem speaks poignantly to the hope, resilience, vision, and ambition of those who, despite the challenges, have succeeded to emerge from the darkness and reach great heights.
Accompanying the calligraphy is an augmented reality component created by an artist in collaboration with Luk. The AR component activates the calligraphic script, creating a dynamic, alternate dimension and realm for visitors to engage with the Chinese pictographic and textual characters.
About Terry
Terry Luk is an award-winning calligraphy master, currently based in San Francisco’s Chinatown. A native of Nanhai, Guangdong Province, Terry has loved calligraphy, painting, music, and art since he was young and is deeply inspired by his family’s artistic roots. He learned calligraphy and painting music, musical instruments, including dulcimer, violin erhu, Qinqin and flute. With his solid foundation in oil painting, watercolor and carbon, Terry’s art shows his great talent in painting and calligraphy art.
Terry has also been engaged in the printing industry for more than 30 years. Terry’s accolades include a feature in the Yearbook of Chinese Calligraphy Masters in 2006, selection as Chinese Art Master in 2008, and rating as the Outstanding Artist by the San Francisco Culture and Arts Association of China and the United States. Terry’s unique style is due to his 30 year study of the works of famous calligraphers of previous dynasties.
He currently serves as President of Calligraphy Association of San Francisco Head of Chinese Orchestra of San Francisco, Director of San Francisco Nanhai Fook Yam Church, Director of San Yup Benevolent Association, President of Nanhai Xiqiao Hometown Association, Consultant of Committee to Promote the Reunification of China San Francisco Bay Area, and Chairman of San Francisco Pacific Printing Co., Ltd.