Solitary Joy 2013

At once thoughtful and affectionate, director Wang Yen-ni's documentary delves into the work and life of Tong Yang-tze, a pre-eminent calligrapher with the heart of a contemporary artist. Born in 1942 and initially trained as an oil painter, Tong hasn't simply transcended the essence of the Chinese calligraphy tradition but has also consistently pushed its boundaries into the realms of abstract painting, stage design, public sculpture, large-scale installation and, with the encouragement of her daughter, jewelry design. Titled after one of her most renowned series of work, Solitary Joy followed the master at work as she juggled quiet moments in her studio and exciting collaborations on a variety of creative events and exhibitions. There is a lot more to Tong's calligraphy than meets the eye.