Writing 2011 Launched (26/01/2011) ⁄ The Writing 2011 Symposium is now launched. Please see the SYMPOSIA section for further information.
Welcome to the International Research Centre for Calligraphy (IRCC). The IRCC is based in the Design Centre at the University of Sunderland, UK. It is dedicated to promoting and facilitating the development of calligraphy in both national and international contexts.
The IRCC values traditional approaches as well as embracing new technologies for the advancement of calligraphy. The centre offers international calligraphy symposia and conferences, exhibitions and publications, residencies and education (undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level).
The IRCC has the following aims:
The Calligraphy Research Initiative (CRI) was set up in 1999 at the University of Sunderland. This was later developed into the International Research Centre for Calligraphy (IRCC) in 2007. The original founders were Dr. Manny Ling, Professor Ewan Clayton and Robert Cooper.
IRCC has become an established research centre since its first international Symposium took place in 2000. Its other research activities have included conferences, master classes, exhibitions and publications. Its first artist in residence in 2009 was the Indian calligrapher Dharmesh Jadeja.
The IRCC has also recently started a Foundation Degree in Calligraphy with Design, which, in collaboration with The Prince’s Drawing School, is run at Kensington Palace, London. This is a two year full time course with further opportunities to study at a higher level such as postgraduate degree and practice led PhD.
In the showcase, you will find examples of work by artists and calligraphers who are directly involved with the IRCC.
Professor Ewan Clayton ⁄ Robert Cooper ⁄ Georgia Deaver ⁄ Hazel Dolby ⁄ Christine Flint Sato ⁄ Ann Hechle ⁄ Sue Hufton ⁄ Thomas Ingmire ⁄ Sally Mae Joseph ⁄ Jean Larcher ⁄ Olivier Laurelle ⁄ Dr. Manny Ling ⁄ Brody Neuenschwander ⁄ Katharina Pieper ⁄ Professor Gottfried Pott ⁄ Susan Skarsgard ⁄ Kazuaki Tanahashi ⁄ Peter Thornton ⁄ Julian Waters ⁄ Sheila Waters » View the gallery «
Over the last decade the IRCC has organized many symposia, each of which explored a different theme. The symposium at Sunderland is well known for its open and sharing atmosphere, because tutors as well as participants are challenged in their own way. The examples here only show a flavour of these experiences. Do come and join us at Writing 2011 next year.
View the records of the past symposia: 2000 ⁄ 2001 ⁄ 2002 ⁄ 2003 ⁄ 2004 ⁄ 2005 ⁄ 2007 ⁄ 2009
For more information on Writing Symposium 2011, please click here
To contact the Symposium Administrator Robert Cooper: robert@cooperphoto.co.uk
Letterscapes is a virtual landscape where a variety of calligraphy and lettering arts is disseminated. These could include traditional and contemporary calligraphy; digital calligraphy, videos or computational designs.
This is just a small sample of work. If you would like your work to be featured in Letterscapes please contact Dr. Manny Ling. Contributions are subject to editorial control.» View the website «
The IRCC believes that education is vital for the development of calligraphy. We are now able to offer courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD studies run by the University of Sunderland. For further information about each stage of study, please click on the links below:
Two years, in Full Time. Location: Kensington Palace, London.
One year in Full Time or two years in Part Time. Location: Design Centre, City Campus, Sunderland.
Dr Manny Ling
The International Research Centre for Calligraphy
The Design Centre
The University of Sunderland
Chester Road
Sunderland SR1 3SD
T ⁄ +44 (0)191 515 3816
E ⁄ manny.ling@sunderland.ac.uk
Robert Cooper
Symposium Administrator
T ⁄ +44 (0)1740 630 015
E ⁄ robert@cooperphoto.co.uk
Here is a short list of links:
