缘起

刻石记事自古有之，妇好墓石磬刻文乃殷商旧物，春秋战国有石鼓文、诅楚文留传大篆字形，秦代有峄山刻石、泰山刻石留传小篆真迹。东汉刻石立碑以记功颂德，蔚然成风，张迁碑、曹全碑、史晨碑等碑刻遍布各地，保存汉隶风韵，其后各代碑刻多以楷书为之。石刻碑文具存真耐久特点，故为后代子孙留下珍贵文化遗产。后代更有立碑翻刻各代文字与书法名作，汇集而成碑林之壮举。

      我国企业家拿督邝汉光所领导之富贵集团，素重企业人文内涵，以传承及发展中华文化为己任。为传承书法艺术、弘扬文化，遂于二零零九年毅然决定拨地二十英亩，投入资金上千万，以创设马来西亚第一座碑林――中华人文碑林，借此展示中国文字演变历程与中、日、韩、台、马各体书法名作。

      此项文化建设工程获马来西亚文教团体热烈响应，鼎力支持，由书法家、学者与华团领导组成筹建委员会，共襄义举。建委会既成，旋即组团远赴中国重点考察碑林，取经借鉴，而后再据国情所需增添本地与日、韩、台书法名作，冀能建成我国第一碑林。全体建委会成员集思广益，对碑林造型、布局、作品筛选、雕刻质量等展开深入讨论与审核，力求碑刻反映真迹之形态与神韵。

      本碑林之碑刻共分三组：（一）中国历代各体文字与书法名作碑刻，展现汉字演变轨迹及历代书法家与名人如：王羲之、颜真卿、苏东坡、黄庭坚、米芾、武则天、乾隆、孙中山等人之墨宝；（二）我国已故书法家及前贤如：竺摩长老、黄石庵、施香沱、崔大地、沈慕羽等人之遗作；（三）国际已故书法家如：空海法师、金膺显等人之作品。

      中华人文碑林既为汉字发展史之缩影，亦属另类古今中外书法艺术展览馆，展现中华文化人文素质与艺术特色；既是文化艺术重镇，亦为重要旅游景点。
 

Relishing Noble Footprints

Stone inscription depicting major events was a prominent feature in the ancient times. From gravestone to scholarly masterpiece, stone inscription speaks volumes for the sophistication and mastery of this ancient art. The art of gravestone inscription was flourishing during Shang Dynasty while inscriptions on stone blocks (Shi Gu Wen) such as the famous ‘Zu Chu Wen’ in the form of ‘Da Zhuan’ calligraphic script were synonymous with the turbulent era of ‘Chun Qiu Zhan Guo’ (the era prior to the unification under the reign of Qin Dynasty). Qin Dynasty fascinated with the ‘Yi Shan’ and ‘Tai Shan’ inscriptions in the form of ‘Xiao Zhuan’ calligraphic script. The Dong Han era immortalised good deeds and virtuousness of notable individuals through stone inscription. Among the remarkable masterpieces belonging to this era are ‘Zhang Qian Bei’, ‘Cao Qian Bei’ and ‘Shi Chen Bei’, presented in the form of Han Li calligraphic style that commanded a big following ever since. The uniqueness of stone inscription is that it would stand the test of time for its durability and form-keeping nature. And stone inscription is certainly a precious cultural legacy left to posterity. Today, driven by the passion in promoting this ancient artistry, the art of stone inscription and calligraphy lives on, even though in the form of replicas and reproductions. The establishment of Nirvana’s Chinese Calligraphy and Stone Inscription Gallery is certainly a magnificent feat.

NV Multi Asia Group, under the leadership of inspiring entrepreneur, Dato’ Kong Hon Kong, places great emphasis on cultivating a corporate culture that champions virtuousness. Hence, the group proudly attach itself to the promotion and development of Chinese culture. And in the name of promoting the art of calligraphy and epigraphy, the group decided to establish a multi-million dedicated gallery on a 20-acre land, back in 2009. It is the first ever calligraphic art gallery of its kind in Malaysia, aptly called Chinese Calligraphy and Stone Inscription Gallery. The gallery showcases the evolution of Chinese calligraphy, featuring masterpieces produced by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Malaysian calligraphers, poets, painters and craftsmen.

As the exciting news of setting up this calligraphic art gallery spread, tremendous moral support was pouring in from all corners, including cultural organisations, calligraphers, scholars and organisations representing the interests of Malaysian Chinese. A dedicated committee was set up as a result and committee members took their tutelage all the way into China to better equip themselves with the much needed knowledge of establishing a culturally inspired stone gallery. Masterpieces from Japan, Korea and Taiwan were later incorporated into the gallery alongside outstanding works by our local calligraphers, artisans or craftsmen. The birth of the distinguished Chinese Calligraphy and Stone Inscription Gallery was in fact a result of the hard work and diligence from a pool of dedicated personnel who put in meticulous attention to the design, layout, build quality, craftsmanship and showpiece selection of the gallery. A long list of brainstorming sessions and evaluations took place along the way to ensure that the exhibits on display are up to the mark, in terms of presenting the genuine eloquence and verve of the showpieces.

The gallery houses three showcase categories: (1) Notable calligraphic and inscription works from China of different eras that demonstrate the evolution of ‘Han’ characters (Chinese characters) and calligraphic styles produced by the likes of Wang Xi Zhi, Yan Zhen Qing, Su Dong Po, Huang Ting Jian, Mi Fu, Wu Ze Tian, Qian Long and Sun Zhong Shan; (2) Respected works by Malaysia’s renowned calligraphers such as the late Zhu Mo (a revered monk), Huang Shi An, Shi Xiang Tuo, Cui Da Di and Shen Mu Yu; (3) Amazing works by international calligraphers such as the late Master Kong Hai and Jin Ying Xian.  

In a nutshell, Chinese Calligraphy and Stone Inscription Gallery illustrates a historical showcase of Chinese characters. It is a gallery that epitomises the great works from ancient to present times. It accentuates the uniqueness and beauty of Chinese culture. It is both a cultural learning hub and a tourist attraction.