People's Daily Yinchuan, January 14 (Zhang Wen, Zhao Moyu) "Uncle Zhao is so powerful" "Every time I finish my self-study, I can see him practicing in the security room" "After watching uncle's works, I am ashamed of myself"... In the eyes of teachers and students of Ningxia Normal College, security guard Zhao Shoubei is their example.
Zhao Shoubei, a 56-year-old native of Shicha Village, Wangwa Town, Pengyang County, Guyuan City, Ningxia, has been deeply interested in traditional Chinese calligraphy art since childhood under the influence of his father, and has been practicing calligraphy since he was 10 years old. No matter how hard the work and how difficult the conditions, he never gave up his love of calligraphy.
Zhao Shoubei was busy and was stepping up his practice of words. Photo by Li Feilong
"My father was a teacher, and he wrote neatly and beautifully, and since I was a child, I hope that I can write a good hand one day." Zhao Shoubei recalled that when he was a child, his family could not afford to buy extra paper and pencil, and when he was 10 years old, he wrote it on the "paper" composed of large square bricks, dipped in water and yellow mud to become "ink", and wrote it one by one. Later, due to the family's livelihood, he went out to work at the age of 19 just after graduating from junior high school, working as a small worker on a construction site. Holding bricks, carrying sand, and mud, "No matter how hard I work during the day and how tired my body is, every night I will practice writing in the shed." ”
"The conditions were really limited, and there was no table, so I made a sand table out of wood, put it on the bed when I rested at night, and practiced writing with a polished iron rod." Working for more than thirty years, no matter how hard it was to "move bricks" and how busy life at home was, Zhao Shoubei never thought of giving up calligraphy. "Writing is my passion, when I write, the world seems to be quiet, I enjoy the peace of mind." 」 Zhao Shoubei said.
A change in work has brought Zhao Shoubei closer to his dream.
In July 2020, Zhao Shoubei entered Ningxia Normal University as a security guard. At first, he was assigned to the Conservatory of Music, and later, when he inadvertently walked into the art building, when he saw the calligraphy and fine art works hanging on the wall, he could no longer move his feet, and immediately applied to the security company for job transfer. "Seeing me practicing calligraphy every day, the teachers of the Academy of Fine Arts not only gave me brushes and rice paper, but also let me participate in the academy's calligraphy training class. When I patrol the floor every day and see these paintings and calligraphy works again, I am very happy that I have come to the right place. Zhao Shoubei said with a smile.
Here, Zhao Shoubei is like a student, eager to learn professional knowledge, practicing in the security room after work. "I thought my words were very beautiful, but after learning professional knowledge, I found that it was still not OK." Nowadays, he is stepping up his practice of writing, taking a lunch break, changing shifts, and going to bed at night, not letting go of any free time. His calligraphy skills have taken it to the next level, and the small letters that he could not get his hands on before can now be hung on the wall for everyone to enjoy.
One of Zhao Shoubei's calligraphy works. Courtesy of respondents
Zhao Shoubei's persistent pursuit of calligraphy and diligent efforts also influenced and inspired the students. "Master Zhao is more than 50 years old and still studied calligraphy so diligently, especially his dedication and love for calligraphy over the years, which has set a good example for the students of the college, and everyone is now much more energetic to learn." Feng Chao, dean of the Academy of Fine Arts of Ningxia Normal University, said.
"Uncle is really amazing, always insist on his love." Speaking of Zhao Shoubei, Wang Hui, a senior student this year, was full of admiration. "Although I am a calligraphy major, I actually like to sing. Under the influence of my uncle, in addition to practicing words every day, I also learn professional vocal skills online. Wang Hui said.
It is mentioned that many young people are too busy with survival and work to take care of their hobbies. Zhao Shoubei suddenly became serious and said, "I also told my children that young people play less with their mobile phones, and there is time." Your hobbies must not be lost, persistence is likely to blossom. ”
Now, as soon as he has time, Zhao Shoubei strolls through the art building, enjoying his favorite calligraphy works and seriously pondering his skills. But he wants to do more than that. "Many dolls don't use brushes, and when I retire, I want to run a calligraphy training class to teach dolls to write for free, starting from horizontal and vertical skimming, and also make some contributions to inheriting and carrying forward the traditional Chinese character culture."
Love accomplishes everything, dreams have no deadline!