Opening Reception, Voices in Stone

VOICES IN STONE

Voices in Stone features hand-carved stone seals inspired by both Eastern and Western cultures. Through seal impressions and related artwork, the exhibition highlights the beauty of Chinese seal carving, an art form with a history of more than two thousand years.

Opening Reception
- September 18, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

On view during gallery hours
- Monday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

About the Artist
Dr. Anping Liu was born into a family in China that valued traditional culture. From a young age he showed a strong interest in art, often reading and drawing at home. In 1985 Anping came to the United States as a graduate student. After earning a Ph.D. in economics, he moved to New York State and worked in state government for many years. After his children grew up and left home, he returned to his artistic passions, studying Chinese painting, calligraphy, and poetry under the guidance of a longtime friend, Professor Lefu Gu.

Over the past decade Dr. Liu has immersed himself in the four pillars of Chinese literati art: painting, poetry, calligraphy, and seal carving. He has carved around 50 traditional seals, some of which are included in his work samples. An active member of the Chinese Community Center (CCC), Dr. Liu volunteers to create and display Chinese paintings and calligraphy during major festivals and visits local public schools to demonstrate Chinese art. He has taught painting to both children and adults.

Artist Statement
Voices in Stone: A Journey of Seals Across Cultures brings the traditional Chinese art of stone seal carving into a modern, multicultural context. The project will feature twenty hand-carved seals that blend Eastern technique with Western meaning, using words and phrases drawn from poetry, philosophy, scripture, and names familiar to American audiences.

By combining meaningful Western texts with the aesthetics of Chinese seal carving, the project creates a quiet dialogue across cultures, inviting viewers to reflect on shared values and the beauty of cross-cultural expression.

My artistic practice—rooted in poetry, calligraphy, seal carving, and painting—reflects a deep engagement with the four traditional Chinese literati arts. For centuries, scholars practiced these disciplines to cultivate their character, preserve heritage, and express their ideals through a unified and personal artistic path.

My fascination with seals began in elementary school when I saw my elder brother’s stamp on his books and wanted one of my own. I found a small stone monkey whistle and asked him to help have my name carved into it. This multifunctional piece—with its vivid form and delicate engraving—remains one of my treasures to this day.

Years later that seal inspired me to learn seal carving. I started with online lessons and practiced by copying its inscription onto a discarded stone. At first, carving was difficult, but better tools and tutorials helped me improve. I also learned from fellow artists in a WeChat group and used modern aids like magnifiers and high-resolution images. Over time I was able to reproduce seals and share them with friends. As I shared my work, I began receiving requests for personalized seals and customized each one to suit its owner’s personality and purpose.

To deepen my skills I studied various historical styles, such as the boldness of Qin and Han dynasty seals and the refinement of Qing literati works. I copied masterpieces, studied their knife techniques and compositions, and created more of my own designs.

As I approach the 40th anniversary of my arrival in this country, I thought of marking the milestone with this seal carving project. Seal carving condenses the beauty of Chinese characters, the precision of craftsmanship, and the spirit of literati culture. It is a powerful means of understanding Chinese tradition. Yet it can also be reinterpreted through local materials and infused with Western ideas and values, reflecting the place and culture where I have spent most of my life.

Hours and Location
- Venue: New York Folklore Shop & Gallery
- Address: 129 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 (Jay Street Marketplace pedestrian mall)
- Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- The gallery is fully wheelchair accessible with a foldout ramp
- Phone: 518-346-7008
- Email: info@nyfolklore.org
- Parking: Free on weekends and after 6 PM; paid street and lot parking available other times

Event details
- Date: September 18
- Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
- Event categories: Exhibits, Receptions