Chinese calligraphy is not only a feast for the eyes and a comfort for the heart; it also reminds people of the artistic beauty of handwriting, made possible by the connection between one's hands and mind. Yang Shilin, a veteran calligrapher from Anhui province, is one of those who have devoted themselves to rekindling people's interest in calligraphy as an essential part of Chinese cultural tradition.

His ongoing exhibition, Dao in Emptiness and Stillness, at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, displays calligraphic works and ink paintings that offer a glimpse into his artistic accumulations over decades. His strokes have integrated the various styles and forms of Chinese calligraphy throughout history, conveying timeless grace that goes beyond the meanings of the characters.

His works usher people into a spiritual realm for philosophical meditation, as the exhibition title says, to ascend to the world of Taoism in a state of emptiness and stillness.