Typing… | Expressing strong willpower through gentle calligraphy brush strokes
Typing, a post 90s modern calligraphy artist, is using his unique brushwork to keep a record of Hongkongers' strong will and determination to fight against totalitarianism.
“When you see the person on the other side ‘typing...’, a kind of anticipation often emerges from waiting for the responses of your friends and loved ones. I hope people get the same feeling when they see my artwork.”
Journalist: Pineapplepie
Translator: DKS
Illustrator: Typing…
Initially, my impression of calligraphy was made when I was learning traditional seal script at primary school. Characters written this way have powerful brushwork but graceful strokes. They were dignified and restrained, as restrained as being admitted to a university, but not to the programme of choice.
I was determined to study design when I got into university in 2014, but through ill fate, I could only choose to study the related major of fashion and textiles. However, I wasn’t interested and started to find 'other things' to fill the void in my heart. Owing to my introversion, I found it difficult to fit in during orientation events and various student associations. I asked myself, what could I do?
I was browsing the internet one time and came across artwork created by calligrapher Ah Chung (Yim Yee King), and various types of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy). I was surprised to learn calligraphy was actually different from what I had been taught, and that it could be so free and limitless. I immediately went to the stationery shop and bought a Zebra Fude brush pen. From that day on, calligraphy became a daily practice. I would practise during lectures, when I was supposed to be studying, just whenever I had some paper with me. I like the variable nature of calligraphy. Even when writing the same character, a slight change in the amount of force on my brush pen changes the font.
With more experience, I started to slowly develop my own font style. While practising, I think about how I liked drawing as a child and try to combine the two to create a new style. Drawing is an independent creation, but as far as I am concerned, it is not just about expressing my own thoughts and emotions. What truly motivates me to continue creating art is knowing that people will see my work. At the same time, I hoped to accumulate more art samples in order to reapply for a minor in design. This led to the establishment of ‘typing...' in 2014.
Why is it named 'typing...'?
Apart from influence from the English word 'typography', when we use Whatsapp and see the person on the other side 'typing...', a kind of anticipation often emerges from waiting for the responses of your friends and loved ones. I hope people get the same feeling when they see my artwork.
I didn't think too much when I made my first post. My creations were mostly centred around song lyrics. Sometimes when I stumbled upon things that I found important, or books and movies that gave me a unique feeling, I would be inspired to draw or write. I encountered the Umbrella Movement soon after and was politically enlightened. Words are straightforward and direct: a short sentence can already express powerful thoughts. Calligraphy conveys even stronger feelings and is even more emotionally impactful. My brushwork has become promotional material for the protests, recording Hongkongers' strong will and determination to fight against totalitarianism.
"Let the storm come as it won't water down our spirits. The umbrellas are blossoming, neither withering nor dispersing."
I held up my umbrella straight through to the anti-extradition protests when an owner of a dessert shop asked if I wanted to hold a small art exhibition in his shop under a 'pay what you want/free pricing' scheme. I mulled it over—rather than setting a price for certain objects, why not first find out the price of 'freedom'? How much does the 'freedom of sleeping in', the 'freedom of refusal' or the 'freedom of thought' cost? While preparing for this exhibition, more and more people were losing their freedom or even their lives on the streets.
While a totalitarian regime becomes more reckless and brutal, the price to pay for expressing opinion becomes heavier as well. Recently, a Chinese-funded enterprise approached me to teach a few classes. My friends urged me to not disclose my entire Instagram page as my political opinion could affect job opportunities. However, if I ask myself, as a social media influencer with 40,000 followers, I have a responsibility to express my stance. If I don't even have a stance, how can I become an influencer? I cannot accept living in a parallel universe, blindly accepting just any job; therefore, I will still continue to write what I believe in.
I am thankful to my friends who have been following me since 2014. It is already enough if my work resonates with you.
"Please don't fail to live up to your free will. Do what you think is right."
Imagining the future
My dream was to turn an interest into a career. 'Typing...' is basically a dream come true, but it brings another form of pressure. When I am drawing, I often worry about whether people will like my posts, whether my work satisfies my clients’ requirements, or if I should write what suits the taste of the general public to maintain popularity. I find that I no longer freely follow my heart or my own will. Thus, I gave myself an assignment recently: draw an hour each day using the colours red, blue and black while using more of my hand and less of my brain. This artwork is not posted on Instagram as I only hope to find again the pure love I had for drawing as a child and to stay loyal to my original intention.
I dare not have too many imaginations about Hong Kong. Ever since the siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, we seem to be losing hope on succeeding in the fight for democracy. I also fear that further mobilisation of protesters will only lead to more people losing their freedom. I hope we can observe for now, focus on ourselves, rest up and think about what each of us can contribute to the movement. Perhaps, during times like these, we need to first find our own way.
"Before our dream is achieved, we all need to stay alive and well, not one less."
“I am Typing..., I am a HKer.”
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