Power of the Word offers a focused look at significant and provocative works in a wide range of mediums by nine Chinese artists who both celebrate and critique the conventions and powerful traditions of the written word in China. Breaking with the 2000 year-old traditions of Chinese calligraphic art, these artists reassess the aesthetic and cultural assumptions of China’s word-based society. Their permutations of calligraphy reflect a fresh understanding of the relationship between language and art, often stimulated by interaction with Western culture.’ This catalogue was published for the exhibition ‘Power of the Word’ held at the Taiwan Museum of Art. In order to add a Taiwan perspective, three contemporary artists from Taiwan have been invited to participate in the show. Essays and introduction to the exhibits and the participating artists are provided in both English and traditional Chinese.

本圖錄的文章提到，《文字的力量》集中探討了九名中國藝術家以多種媒介創作而成的一批重要作品。這批藝術家對中國文字的常規及傳統各有褒貶。他們把有兩千年歷史的書法藝術置諸一旁，轉而檢視建基於文字的中國社會所沿用的美學和文化觀。參展藝術家以獨創的變體書法，重新詮釋了語言和藝術兩者之間的關係，西方文化的衝擊於此亦扮演了相當重要的角色。本圖錄是為在國立台灣美術館舉行的《文字的力量》展覽而刊印的。參展者當中有三名當代台灣藝術家，為是次活動增添了一個新的視角。本書載有關於展品和參展藝術家的中英文評論及簡介。