Tian Zhiying

Contemporary renowned calligrapher, National First-Class Calligrapher, disciple of Master Liu Bingsen, one of the Top Ten Most Influential Artists of China in 2017

Personal Profile and Master-Apprentice Relationship:

Tian Zhiying, born in Hebei in 1958, currently resides in Beijing, known by the art name Siyuan Jushi, is a contemporary renowned calligrapher who studied under Master Liu Bingsen, the master of Chinese clerical script. He is currently a member of the China Association for Elderly Calligraphy and Painting Research, a National First-Class Calligrapher, a council member of the Hebei Hard-Pen Calligraphy Association, a council member of the Hebei Clerical Script Research Association, a visiting professor at Hebei Academy of Fine Arts, and vice president of the Hebei Fuxi Culture Calligraphy and Painting Institute. He was named one of the Top Ten Most Influential Artists of China in 2017.

Photo taken in the 1980s with his master, Liu Bingsen, at his home

Calligraphy Style:

   Born into a family of painters and calligraphers, Tian Zhiying developed a deep passion for calligraphy from childhood. He initially studied Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, later delving into the brushwork of Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, and other historical masters. In the 1980s, he became a disciple of the renowned calligrapher Liu Bingsen, studying under his master for nearly a decade, specializing in clerical and seal scripts. For decades, he has persisted in daily practice, striving to reach new heights. His clerical script displays profound skill—graceful, smooth, substantial, dignified, and exquisitely composed. His master, Liu Bingsen, personally bestowed upon him the art name "Siyuan," meaning "Remembering the Source of Water." After 2000, Tian Zhiying absorbed the essence of various schools while integrating his own cultural heritage. His works conform to classical norms yet reach exquisite artistic realms. Viewing Tian Zhiying’s calligraphy brings joy to the eye and is impossible to put down—uniting history and reality, demonstrating refined artistic mastery and an extraordinary style, truly embodying the demeanor of a master. Over nearly four decades, his calligraphy has earned acclaim across China and overseas, and he is widely recognized by the art community as one of the most accomplished contemporary calligraphers.

Artistic Achievements:

In 1998, the renowned contemporary calligrapher Ouyang Zhongshi, after viewing Tian Zhiying’s work, remarked: “Master Liu has a worthy successor!” and collected Tian Zhiying’s on-the-spot creation, “Fu Yun Hua Tang.”

Former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi and Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Mahkota both requested calligraphy works from Tian Zhiying; North Korean leader Kim Jong-il specially invited Mr. Tian to write a collection of Kim Jong-il’s quotations, now housed in the North Korean Museum.

Historical Exhibitions

From 2001 to 2005, he held solo exhibitions successively in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau;

In 2006, he held the exhibition “The Beauty of Chinese Seal and Clerical Script — Calligraphy by Tian Zhiying” in South Korea;

In 2008, he was invited, along with Su Shishu and other masters, to hold a master calligraphy exhibition at the Beijing Museum;

From 2010 to 2012, he held solo calligraphy exhibitions in nearly ten cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xiamen;

On November 13, 2018, he was invited to participate in the “Hundred Couplets Welcoming Spring — 7th Chinese Contemporary Calligraphy Masters Spring Exhibition”;

On February 1, 2019, he was invited to participate in the “China Sports and International Olympic Treasures Exhibition.”

Representative Works:

“Hou De Zai Wu,” “Shi Ya Lan Xiang,” “Tian Dao Chou Qin,” “She De,” “Lin Jiang Xian,” “Qin Yuan Chun Xue,” “Shan Yuan,” “Yong Mei,” “Guan Cang Hai.”

Work Appreciation:

“Fu Yun Hua Tang”

In 1998, it was selected twice for the China Post Art Masters Hundred Masters Stamp Collection, with 100 copies issued domestically and internationally; in 2005, it was presented as a state gift to the Thai Royal Family.

“Hou De Zai Wu” won the Gold Award at the National Calligraphy Exhibition in 2015; in 2019, alongside Su Shishu, he was invited to jointly inscribe Tsinghua University’s motto “Self-Discipline and Social Commitment” at the Tsinghua University 108th Anniversary “Pure Wind and Splendid Calligraphy” exhibition; in 2017, it was collected by Yuan Longping, the “Father of Hybrid Rice.”

“Shi Ya Lan Xiang” won the Gold Award at the 2009 National Pu Songling Cup Competition and was permanently collected by the Shanghai World Expo that same year; in 1999, it was collected by his master Liu Bingsen and hung in his study.

“She De” in 2018, along with Sun Xiaoyun and others, was invited to Moscow to participate in the Global Chinese Calligraphy Masters Exhibition and presented to the Moscow Museum of Fine Arts.

“Chun You Bai Hua Qiu You Yue” was auctioned for RMB 680,000 at the Hanhai Spring Auction in Beijing in 2018; in June of the same year, it won the Gold Award at the National Master Calligraphy Invitational Competition; in September of the same year, it was auctioned for RMB 780,000.

“Lin Jiang Xian,” a museum-grade masterpiece, is permanently collected by the National Museum; in June 2018, it was presented as a state gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Nian Nu Jiao: Reminiscence of Chibi” was invited for broadcast on CCTV in 2020; won the Special Award at the 2019 National Hundred Masters Calligraphy Exhibition.

“Qin Yuan Chun Xue” was invited in 2014 to join Zhang Hai and Shen Peng in the National Master Calligraphy and Painting Touring Exhibition; in 2015, won the Gold Award at the “Jinding Award” National Calligraphy and Painting Competition and was selected for the “National Outstanding Calligraphy and Painting Collection.”

“Zhong Hou Chuan Jia Jiu, Shi Shu Ji Shi Chang” has been exhibited in every exhibition from 2001 to 2019; the renowned entrepreneur Ren Zhengfei personally requested this piece; in 2018, it was auctioned for RMB 1.18 million at Yachang Auction.