EIREducational Innovation Research3029-18443029-1852WHIOCE PUBLISHING PTE. LTD.10.18063/EIR.v4i2.1561ArticleThe Third Path Beyond the Controversy of the “Bei” School and “Tie” School - Lai Shaoqi's Calligraphy as a Creative Transformation of the Tradition of Inscriptions and Calligraphyhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/EIR/4/2/10.18063/EIR.v4i2.1561ZhangJie2026422026-02-26This paper focuses on the calligraphy of the 20th-century artist Lai Shaoqi, exploring the creative transformation he achieved based on the tradition of calligraphy from ancient inscriptions. It traces the historical context of the Controversy of the “Bei” School and “Tie” School, pointing out the limitations of the inherent dualistic opposition. The characteristics of Lai Shaoqi's calligraphy are analyzed from two dimensions: form and layout. It also analyzes how Lai Shaoqi, through the re-creation of the life essence of calligraphy from ancient inscriptions, the dialectical expansion of the aesthetic category of calligraphy from ancient inscriptions, and the integration of writing and life experience, has opened up an artistic path that is deeply rooted in the tradition of ancient inscriptions yet highly individualistic, providing a highly enlightening third path for the inheritance and innovation of contemporary calligraphy.Controversy of the “Bei” School and “Tie” School, Lai Shaoqi, Calligraphy, Tradition of ancient inscriptions

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