Source: The Three Perfections – Poetry, Painting, and Calligraphy: An Introduction
Calligraphy is a word derived from the Greek word kalligraphiā, which means “beautiful writing.” We usually associate the word with attractive handwriting. The dictionary meaning of calligraphy is beautiful writing with a pen or brush. And why are we talking about calligraphy in this blog? Well, calligraphy is one of the earliest forms of fusion, and more importantly, a part of what is called ‘The Three Perfections’ 🙂
In China, calligraphy is recognized as an art form in itself, and can be as important a part of a painting as the painting itself. It is regarded as the highest art form. Its artistic and expressive qualities are independent of the meanings of the written words. In some instances calligraphy is used to decorate articles of everyday use, such as fans and dishes. The style of the calligraphy will vary from one individual to another, but training and practice in early grade years make characters that are uniform and consistently accepted.
A Wikipedia article mentions that Three perfections is the gathering of poets, calligraphers and painters to create an artwork in ancient China. The resulting product would be a painting that would include the work of a calligrapher to write a poem. Legend holds that the Tang dynasty poets Du Fu and Li Bai were the first to introduce the combination of painting and poetry into one artwork. Several hundred years later, Su Shi, a poet and painter, promoted the use of poetry and painting together. Instruction of artists at the Northern Song Imperial Painting Academy included the integration of poetry and painting. As a result of the prevalence of the merged arts into the “Three perfections” a common expression emerged, the “soundless poem” to describe how one might experience a painting with sound, sight, smell and feel.
In a subsequent write-up, we will share some examples of the Three Perfections.
“Poetry is painting without form, painting is poetry with form.” Kuo Hsi, Northern Sung Landscape Painter
While today, the world of art and poetry is rediscovering the power of fusion, the arts of Chinese painting and poetry have always been closely related. Both painters and poets break down complex ideas or emotions into their basic elements. They express themselves through symbolism, a pictographic method of communication, so their words, symbols and images merge together, making the art forms almost indistinguishable.
The Song Dynasty of China, established by the Zhao family in 960 and lasting until 1279, is well known for its achievements in terms of combining poetry, painting, and calligraphy, called the three perfections,into a shared art form, or as complimentary activities. One renowned practitioner of this combination of talents was Mi Fu (also known as Mei Fu). Fusion, though, was more of a rule than an exception in the days of the Song Dynasty. 
(Image source: Pinterest)
The exhibition, ‘Soleil d’hiver” (sun and winter theme) began in January 2015 Galerie MP Tresart at Quebec, Canada. This exhibition continued for three months, from January 2015 till March 2015.
Mélanie Poirier, artist and director of the gallery said this is a great opportunity for art lovers and collectors to appreciate contemporary works of 23 global artists featured in this exhibition.
Original and diversified, more than eighty paintings created from the sun and winter theme, combining several styles and techniques, are offered for sale at various prices.
Having a mission as involving international collaborations, the gallery proudly announces discovery of two French artists Sandrine Maia, and Sylvie Poinsot and established Indian artist and painter Pankaj Kumar Saxena accompanied by the poet Preeta Chandran.
In this event, Delhi-based Indian artist Pankaj Kumar Saxena’s fused-unfused series is displayed. Pankaj’s paintings are presented with Preeta Chandrans’s poetry in this exhibition. In the past, painter Pankaj Kumar Saxena has teamed up with poet/writer Preeta Chandran to bring out a collection of verses and paintings inspired by nature, love and life. Compiled into a book titled ‘The Painted Verse’, this collection was launched in May 2013 in New Delhi.
The following artists from Quebec have also been featured: Céline Pellerin, Audrey Turcotte, Maria Tremblay, Danielle Gingras, Dorotka, Baudoin Wart, Richard Cordeau, Jacques Landry, Ghislaine Louis-Joseph, Luc Tessier, Elodie Verdier, Tzyg, Henri Martin-Laval .
The permanent artists of the gallery are also exhibiting their work: Diane Béland, Nikolina Okuka, Mélanie Poirier, Diane Lacombe, Pierre Lemay, Rebel and Catherine Blackburn.
Source: Mélanie Poirier, owner of Gallery mp tresart, 220 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville (Hwy 116), Durham-Sud, QC J0H 2C0. Phone: 819-858-2177, email: info@galeriemptresart.com, Website: galeriemptresart.com
The Human Resource Protection and Social Welfare Development’s Bareilly chapter, along with its wing, the Senior Citizen’s association, conducted an event in Bareilly on January 10, 2016.
Delhi based poet Preeta Chandran and the painter Pankaj Kumar Saxena were awarded by Minister of State- Textiles, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar at this art and culture event held at Bharat Seva Trust building in Bareilly.
This book is one of the rare examples of fusion of two different format of Painting and Poetry. Poet and painter In this fusion weave a rich fabric of colours and words, inspired by nature and its beauty, love, pain, joy, and the innermost feelings of humankind.
The book comprises 50 compositions. While in many of them, the poem inspired the painting, in several others, the painting inspired the poem. The book has been published by Bibliophile South Asia.
In this event, they awarded several people from various walks of art and literature. Late Shri Gyanswaroop Kumud was posthumously awarded the title of ‘Bareilly Shri’. His son received the award at the event. Painter and artist Mr. Pankaj Kumar Saxena, writer and poet Ms. Preeta Chandran and musician Shri Sayyed Zahir were awarded for their work in the field of art, literature, and music. The Chief Guest, Minister of State- Textiles, Shri Santosh K Gangwar, unveiled the organization’s magazine.
Dr. Arun Kumar, MLA, honoured the awardees by handing out certificates and shawls to them.
Various speakers at the event said that everyone should leverage their talents to enrich the society through propagating art and culture. The HRPASWD’s Bareilly President, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Saxena, conducted a draw of lots and awarded the prize winners. Senior citizen Mr. V.K. Gupta, Mr. Satish Chand Gangwar, and Mr. Vishen Narayan Aggarwal, won the first, second, and third prize respectively. The event was coordinated by Mr. G.K. Aggarwal and Mr. Shrawan Saxena.
The event was a wholesome affair and much applauded by all the attendees as an effort to promote art and culture.
For centuries, artists from Michelangelo to Picasso have written and published poems. Artists who are fluent in the visual and literary arts are able to select the creative medium that best expresses their ideas.
In some cases, paintings and poetry are displayed together to more deeply communicate a theme, emotion, or thought.
Artwork by Pankaj Kumar Saxena and Poetry by Preeta Chandran (Ref: The Painted Verse, a book on Poetry and Painting)
ArtPoetryFusion 
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