Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall

Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall

Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall is a cultural heritage site protected by Yingkou City.

Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall is located in Gaizhou City, within Xinglong Community of Gulou Subdistrict Office. It was established to commemorate Shen Yanyi, a master of calligraphy in his generation. The cultural ambiance of "a gathering of talents and an atmosphere of scholarly ink" in Gaizhou City owes much to figures like Mr. Shen.

Shen Yanyi, courtesy name Gongzhuo, was originally from Guta Village, Chengguan Town, Gaizhou City. Born in 1903 in Gaizhou, his father was a scholar during the late Qing Dynasty’s Xuantong era, skilled in calligraphy and poetry. Shen Yanyi was exceptionally bright from childhood. Influenced by his father, he extensively studied classical literature and diligently practiced calligraphy, drawing inspiration from various styles. In his youth, he received guidance from Kang Youwei, which further enhanced his poetic talent and deepened his calligraphic prowess. After more than half a century of refining his craft, he gained fame both in China and abroad for developing a unique school of calligraphy art. He blended the simplicity of stele inscriptions with refined minimalism, elevating the stele-calligraphy style to an exceptionally vibrant realm. His calligraphic works exhibit a blend of unpolished charm and vigorous antiquity, combined with strength and elegance. They are profound, subtle, free-spirited, and unrestrained, showing no trace of rigidity or artificiality, yet encompassing the vicissitudes of life within their vast expressiveness. His artistic style reached a new level, establishing him as a pioneering master of contemporary northern Chinese calligraphy in the history of Chinese calligraphy.

Shen Yanyi was a renowned contemporary calligrapher, poet, and patriot, and one of the foremost calligraphers in China. During his lifetime, he served as the Director of the Shenyang Cultural and Historical Museum, a member of the Liaoning and Shenyang CPPCC Committees, a standing committee member of the Kuomintang Revolutionary Committee in Liaoning and Shenyang, and the Chairman and Honorary Chairman of the Calligraphy Associations in Liaoning and Shenyang. With profound knowledge, exceptional calligraphic skill, and steady literary talent, he actively participated in a wide range of social activities and cross-strait and international cultural exchanges, bringing honor to his country and hometown, and gaining widespread fame both domestically and abroad.

Mr. Shen Yanyi was resolute in character and lofty in aspiration. He loved his country, its people, and his hometown, always maintaining his national integrity and the pride of a literati. His works and noble character have had a profound influence everywhere, representing our precious cultural heritage and spiritual wealth. Upon entering Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall, you’ll find a quadrangle courtyard with the architectural style of southern Liaoning—simple, elegant, and filled with a rich scholarly atmosphere. The gate is designed in the style of an old-style residence, with stone drums placed in front, wooden double doors adorned with door studs and knockers. The main room serves as the primary exhibition hall, while the east and west wing rooms function as secondary exhibition spaces, and the gatehouse acts as a reception area. The courtyard is paved with blue bricks, with pathways leading to each exhibition room. A lifelike white marble statue of Shen Yanyi stands in the center, surrounded by flower beds blooming with vibrant flowers along the walkways. The main exhibition room displays works from various periods of Shen Yanyi’s life, with each piece of calligraphy and painting exuding tranquility and vitality, as well as vigor and strength.

Shen Yanyi’s personal belongings reveal that despite his esteemed status in the art world, he lived a very simple and modest life. There’s an old-style sofa, a pair of thick prescription glasses, an old teapot, and a worn-out cane. The memorial has also reconstructed Shen Yanyi’s former studio, with the traditional Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone) arranged just as they were. A 1:1 scale wax figure of Shen Yanyi astonishes his family, friends, and students, making it seem as if the master never left. The secondary exhibition rooms primarily display photos of Shen Yanyi with his family and friends from different periods, along with video materials introducing his creative life and social activities. A 1:10 scale miniature replica of Shen Yanyi’s former residence showcases exquisite craftsmanship.

In 2003, on the centenary of Mr. Shen’s birth, the Gaizhou Cultural Relics Management Office held an exhibition, officially opening Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall to the public.

In 2004 (Gaizhou Government Document [2004] No. 15), Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall was designated as a municipal (county-level) cultural heritage protection unit. In 2012, the Yingkou Municipal People’s Government (Yingkou Government Document [2012] No. 173) listed it as a city-level cultural heritage protection unit. The cultural heritage protection scope and construction control zone designated by the Yingkou Municipal People’s Government (Yingkou Government Document [2013] No. 185) are: within 4 meters outside the perimeter walls of Shen Yanyi Memorial Hall.

Source: Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, News, and Broadcasting. Contributor: Dong Wenjie

Shen Yanyi (1903–1992), courtesy names Gongzhuo and Gongzuo, art names Shuju and Tianxingjianzhai Zhu, was born on December 21, 1903, in Tutai Village, east of Gaiping County (now Gaizhou City), Liaoning Province. His father, Shen Gengtang, was a selected scholar in the late Qing Dynasty, known for his poetry, prose, and calligraphy, and held high local esteem. From childhood, Shen Yanyi studied classics and history with his father, composed poetry, and practiced calligraphy. By young adulthood, his literary talent and calligraphic reputation were already well-known locally. Later, he attended the Republic of China University and Peking University. After graduation, he first worked at the Jilin Provincial Governor’s Office, then served as a clerk under Mo Dehui, the director of the Chinese Eastern Railway. After liberation, he once served as... (Shen Yanyi detailed information++)

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