Friday lates: Text and image - from calligraphy to emoji in Chinese art (1900-now)
In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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During the Mao era, especially between 1966 and 1976, big-character posters (handwritten characters pasted across public walls) became powerful instruments for mass mobilisation, used to spread political messages and call for class struggle. From the 1980s onwards, China’s opening-up policy brought a flood of new ideas and images, creating both excitement and uncertainty about what Chinese culture was and could become. A generation of artists responded by turning language itself into their subject. This course also discusses how contemporary artists, including Wu Shanzhuan, Xu Bing and Huang Yong Ping, began questioning the power of language and redefining image-word relationships.
We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and socio-political contexts to explore broad questions, including: Why did calligraphy become inseparable from painting itself? What happens when familiar words begin to lose their legibility? Can a picture say something that words simply cannot?
What will we cover?
An overview of the power of writing in pre-modern and modern Chinese art.
How contemporary artists challenge the power of language and explore what happens when words no longer make sense.
The role of images in serving as text to convey meanings.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe at least three artworks exploring the relationship between image and text in Chinese art.
Demonstrate an understanding of how and why writing has played an important role in Chinese art, from traditional brushwork through to the present day.
Identify how contemporary artists have engaged with the role of language and writing in Chinese art and culture.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
Xinrui Zhang completed her PhD in History of Art at the University of York. She specialises in art and landscape architecture in China from a global perspective, with a focus on the contemporary period. She has taught art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, SOAS and York. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She holds an MA in History of Art from the Courtauld and a BA in History of Art (Asia, Africa and Europe) from SOAS. Before starting her PhD, she worked as a curator in London and previously worked at Christie’s.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/friday-lates-text-and-image-from-calligraphy-to-emoji-in-chinese-art-1900-now3040510Friday lates: Text and image - from calligraphy to emoji in Chinese art (1900-now)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday_1.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory228511361177173118831228511771136<p>In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.</p>003040504Friday lates: Text and image - from calligraphy to emoji in Chinese art (1900-now)1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday_1_1.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-05-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB2601919Friday lates: Text and image - from calligraphy to emoji in Chinese art (1900-now)191219Xinrui Zhangfriday-lates-text-and-image-from-calligraphy-to-emoji-in-chinese-art-1900-now/vb260-2526<p>In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-08 00:00:00<p>During the Mao era, especially between 1966 and 1976, big-character posters (handwritten characters pasted across public walls) became powerful instruments for mass mobilisation, used to spread political messages and call for class struggle. From the 1980s onwards, China’s opening-up policy brought a flood of new ideas and images, creating both excitement and uncertainty about what Chinese culture was and could become. A generation of artists responded by turning language itself into their subject. This course also discusses how contemporary artists, including Wu Shanzhuan, Xu Bing and Huang Yong Ping, began questioning the power of language and redefining image-word relationships.</p><p>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and socio-political contexts to explore broad questions, including: Why did calligraphy become inseparable from painting itself? What happens when familiar words begin to lose their legibility? Can a picture say something that words simply cannot?</p><p>In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.</p><ul><li>An overview of the power of writing in pre-modern and modern Chinese art.</li><li>How contemporary artists challenge the power of language and explore what happens when words no longer make sense.</li><li>The role of images in serving as text to convey meanings.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe at least three artworks exploring the relationship between image and text in Chinese art.</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of how and why writing has played an important role in Chinese art, from traditional brushwork through to the present day.</li><li>Identify how contemporary artists have engaged with the role of language and writing in Chinese art and culture.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Ancient China/Modern Fantasies</p><p>Twenty contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyArt, ideas & theoryvirtual191912VB260NONEFri08/05/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineXinrui ZhangBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-08T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Friday lates: Text and image - from calligraphy to emoji in Chinese art (1900-now)friday-lates-text-and-image-from-calligraphy-to-emoji-in-chinese-art-1900-now/vb260-2526<p>In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-08 00:00:00<p>During the Mao era, especially between 1966 and 1976, big-character posters (handwritten characters pasted across public walls) became powerful instruments for mass mobilisation, used to spread political messages and call for class struggle. From the 1980s onwards, China’s opening-up policy brought a flood of new ideas and images, creating both excitement and uncertainty about what Chinese culture was and could become. A generation of artists responded by turning language itself into their subject. This course also discusses how contemporary artists, including Wu Shanzhuan, Xu Bing and Huang Yong Ping, began questioning the power of language and redefining image-word relationships.</p><p>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and socio-political contexts to explore broad questions, including: Why did calligraphy become inseparable from painting itself? What happens when familiar words begin to lose their legibility? Can a picture say something that words simply cannot?</p><p>In China, writing is more than just words. It is a mark of status, a tool of political control, and a celebrated art form in its own right. This course explores what happened when contemporary artists began questioning that authority: inventing fake scripts, creating a readable story without a single word ♀️✈, filling rooms with nonsense slogans, and playfully challenging the language of power.</p><ul><li>An overview of the power of writing in pre-modern and modern Chinese art.</li><li>How contemporary artists challenge the power of language and explore what happens when words no longer make sense.</li><li>The role of images in serving as text to convey meanings.</li></ul><ul><li>Describe at least three artworks exploring the relationship between image and text in Chinese art.</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of how and why writing has played an important role in Chinese art, from traditional brushwork through to the present day.</li><li>Identify how contemporary artists have engaged with the role of language and writing in Chinese art and culture.</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Ancient China/Modern Fantasies</p><p>Twenty contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyArt, ideas & theoryconfigurable
18831136Art, ideas & theoryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/art-ideas-theory1/2/285/1177/1136/18831/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory
