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Su Shih is probably perhaps best
known to Western audiences by his pen name, Su Tung-p'o. Born in 1036, five emperors came
to the throne during his lifetime. Eleventh-century China, however, was a period of great
political instability. The bitter rivalry between revisionist and conservative factions at
court made a political career precarious. For Su Shih, known for his sharp wit and
stubborn personality, it was even more difficult. However, the ups and downs of his life
and career provided constant inspiration in his art and writing, for which he is so highly
regarded by later generations.
Su's tumultuous career began around 1079, when he wrote a satirical
poem on the New Policies promoted by Prime Minister Wang An-shih, who was infuriated and
had Su arrested. Su served time in jail and was later released, but the following year he
was banished to Huang-chou in the southern hinterlands. This proved to be a major turning
point in his life. Beforehand, Su was a free and spirited personality, and his poetry was
full of insight and energy. However, having barely escaped with his life and being
banished to the harsh region of the south, he began to reflect on the beauty of nature and
the meaning of life. In exile, he enjoyed the simple pleasures of farming and writing,
taking joy in what life had to offer. In fact, many of his most popular works were done at
the time. Though Su was later pardoned, he was never far from controversy. Even as an old
man, he was banished to the furthest reaches of the land--Hainan Island in the South China
Sea. The experience, however, only further enlightened him. Though pardoned once again,
this time he did not make it back to court and died on the trip north.
It has now been almost 900 years since Su Shih passed away in 1101.
Although his writings were once blacklisted, even destroyed, his genius could not be
repressed. His poetry and writing have been reprinted, studied, and enjoyed by generations
since. In this special exhibition, the National Palace Museum presents Su's literary
output along with calligraphy, painting, and writing related to him. They serve to
commemorate one of the greatest figures in the Sung dynasty as well as in Chinese history
and art.
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