Fu Chunlin

Fu Chunlin (Fu Chunlin), (1962.4.15-), Zi Shi, Hao Zhengzhongshan Ren, from Shangrao, Jiangxi Province. A contemporary Chinese sinology master, leading figure in painting and calligraphy, poet, National First-Class Artist, and Representative Inheritor of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Currently serves as Advisor to the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Art Center, Member of the China Democratic Promotion Association, Committee Member of the Shangrao Municipal CPPCC, and Vice Chairman of the China Calligraphers and Painters Association. Recognized as a National Model Art Worker with Virtue and Talent, Cultural Master and “Four Batches” Talent, and an art expert entitled to special state allowances. Guest Professor and Academic Committee Member at Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Sichuan College of Art and Culture, and other institutions. Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles. Advisor to the Shanghai Hongkou Calligraphy and Painting Academy, Director of the Shanghai Huan Yu Temple Calligraphy and Painting Academy, Director of the Shandong Zhengjue Temple Calligraphy and Painting Academy, and other renowned national calligraphy and painting academies. Council Member of the Central Government Agencies Calligraphers Association, Member of the China Artists Association, Member of the China Calligraphers Association, Professor of Calligraphy, Member of the China Couplets Society, Advisor to the Shanghai General Art and Culture Center, Deputy President of the China Traditional Culture Buddhist Society. Holder of the world’s three top art awards: Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louvre Museum (France), Gold Medal at the International Art Expo (USA), and Grand Prize at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Competition. His works are collected by prestigious institutions including the Great Hall of the People, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, China Museum, and China Art Gallery. His calligraphy and painting works have been presented as state gifts to former U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former German President Christian Wulff, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Mr. White, one of President Trump’s economic core advisors, father-in-law of the Japanese Emperor, Henri Royer, Director of the Louvre Museum in Paris, and Leo Jensen, Director of the Van Gogh Museum in London, receiving high acclaim.
         
1. In 1962, Fu Chunlin was born on Buddha’s Birthday beside Mount Sanqing. His family had practiced medicine for generations; his father relocated from Zangshu, the ancestral medicinal town, to Linhu Town, Yushan County, Jiangxi, to escape the Japanese invasion of China.
2. In 1979, he ranked first in the joint medical examination of three regions in Yushan; in 1982, he studied painting and calligraphy under Master Ju Zan, and learned calligraphy from renowned Zhejiang calligraphers such as Sha Menghai.
3. In 1986, due to his dual excellence in medicine and calligraphy, he was specially appointed as a physician by Zhejiang Construction Hospital (now Zhejiang Xinhua Hospital).
4. In 1988, he was accepted as the final disciple by Venerable Jingxin, President of the World Buddhist Association and Abbot of Guangde Temple.
5. In 1992, his running script work “Zhouyi · Tian Xing Jian” was selected for “Chinese Contemporary Masters.”
6. In 1994, his cursive script work “Qinyuanchun · Changsha” was included in the “National Invitation Exhibition of Famous Calligraphers, Painters, Seal Carvers, and Photographers.”
7. In 1995, upon invitation from Japanese academic calligraphy master Aoyama Sanyu, he traveled to Kofu, Japan, to study calligraphy and painting with Japanese friends.
8. In 1997, his calligraphy and painting works were selected for the “Exhibition Celebrating Hong Kong’s Return to China.”
9. In 1998, his seal script work “Da Zhuan” was included in “Classics of Chinese Contemporary Calligraphy Masters.”
10. In 2001, thirteen of his artworks were auctioned for charity in Jiangxi, with all proceeds donated to local Hope Elementary Schools.
11. In 2002, charitable auctions were held in Henan, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, marking the beginning of Fu’s nationwide continuous cultural charity journey, using his artistic works to provide modest assistance to children in impoverished disaster-stricken areas.
12. In 2005, invited by Seoul National University of Arts, he delivered lectures on differences between Chinese and Korean art and culture development.
13. In 2006, invited by the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in Italy, he held a personal exhibition in Italy, receiving high praise from Italian friends.
14. In 2007, invited by the India Art Expo Organizing Committee, he participated in the India Art Expo and undertook meditation retreats in Bodh Gaya, the sacred birthplace of the Buddha.
15. In 2008, “Early Sun Over the River” was selected for the “National Chinese Painting Exhibition.”
16. In 2009, his ink painting “Rivers and Mountains Like a Painting” won the Outstanding Creation Award.
17. In 2009, he was invited to exhibit in the “Art China: 60th Anniversary Celebration — Masterpieces of Contemporary Calligraphy Masters.”
18. In 2010, he was named one of the Top Ten Figures in Chinese Calligraphy, Painting, Seal Carving, and Photography for 2010.
19. In 2010, seven works including “Great Luck Diagram” and “Zhong Kui Marries His Sister” were selected for the “Exhibition Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the United Nations” (global tour).
20. In 2010, his works were selected for the CCTV “Exhibition Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the United Nations.”
21. In 2011, “Lotus Pond” was selected for the National Chinese Painting Exhibition.
22. In 2011, CCTV Economic Channel’s program “Business China” featured Fu Chunlin’s journey in calligraphy art. Subsequently, major media outlets including Liaoning TV and Hong Kong Satellite TV competed to interview and report on Fu’s artistic career.
23. In 2012, invited by Berlin University of the Arts, he embarked on a cultural exchange tour across Europe, visiting six Western European countries including Germany, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
24. In 2013, he participated in the Singapore World Cultural Arts Competition and was awarded the title “Cultural Ambassador of China-Singapore.”
25. In 2014, classic series including “Flowers Bloom in Prosperity” and “Magnificent Rivers and Mountains” were made into stamp collections issued by China Post.
26. In 2015, invited by the St. Petersburg Royal Academy of Arts, he participated in the St. Petersburg Royal Academy of Arts Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition and the Repin Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition in Russia.
27. In 2015, his seal script, running script, and cursive script works were selected by the Ministry of Education for inclusion in primary and secondary school textbooks and curricula.
28. In 2016, invited by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, he participated in the Czech National Academy of Arts exhibition.
29. In 2016, invited by the World Buddhist Association and the World Vesak Festival Organizing Committee, he attended the UN Vesak Day Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition in Sri Lanka; his work “Tea and Zen as One” was treasured by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
30. In 2016, his seal script work “Da Zhuan” won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louvre Museum in France. This award caused a strong international response; as the first Chinese person ever to receive this honor, it was widely reported by authoritative media including Jiangxi News Broadcast and CCTV News Network.
31. In 2017, invited by the World Buddhist Association, he attended the World Buddhist Congress in Myanmar, where he was praised by Burmese monk Ashin Nyanissara as “deeply connected to the Dharma,” and granted initiation rites; his work “China-Myanmar Friendship” was treasured by Aung San Suu Kyi. In 2017, invited by the American Artists Association and the American International Exchange Group (AIE), he participated in the 2017 “International Art Expo USA,” winning the Classical Art Gold Medal.
32. In 2018, his work “Loyalty and Righteousness Bring Blessings” won the Gold Medal at the 19th “Tokyo International Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition”; his work was highly acclaimed by Japanese calligraphy masters as “a masterpiece seen once in a thousand years,” prompting an exclusive interview by NHK, Japan’s national television network.
33. In 2018, invited by the University of California, Los Angeles (ranked #1 globally for arts education), he went to California to study classical and modern art; his mentors at the university highly commended him and conferred upon him the title of Visiting Scholar with corresponding credentials.
34. In 2018, invited by the London Art Fair, he participated in the event, where British art enthusiasts gave outstanding evaluations of Fu Chunlin’s works.
35. In 2019, he attended the World Confucius Conference and created a portrait of Confucius, which was highly praised by Chairman Tang Enjia as “the best Confucius portrait he had ever seen.”
36. In September 2019, invited by the Indonesian government, he attended the World Confucianism Congress and delivered the keynote speech, making active contributions to promoting traditional culture!
37. In 2020, upon official invitation from Japan, the Fu Chunlin Art Museum in Japan was established.
38. In 2021, he was honored as “Advanced Individual in National Poverty Alleviation.”
39. In 2022, he received the honorary title “Model of the Times in the Art World” (awarded by People’s Daily, China Artists Association, China Calligraphers Association, and others).
40. In November 2022, Fu Chunlin’s eighteen Arhat scroll set a Guinness World Record.
41. In 2023, he was officially appointed as Art Consultant by CCTV’s “Artistic Masters” program.
42. In 2023, he won the Louvre Museum’s highest honor — the Excellence Award — for the second time.
43. He was appointed Art Expert Consultant by the China Traditional Culture Promotion Association under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
44. On November 15, 2023, he was appointed Advisor to the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Art Center.
45. On March 6, 2024, People’s Daily Online reported that Fu Chunlin’s artwork sold for RMB 15 million at Sotheby’s. On March 31, 2024, People’s Daily reported again that his work sold for RMB 16.5 million in Hong Kong and RMB 35 million at Sotheby’s.
46. In May 2024, he was appointed Guest Professor by Tsinghua University.
47. In January 2025, the University of Colorado awarded him an Honorary Doctorate, signed by the U.S. Secretary of State, sealed by the government court, and signed by a judge.
48. On May 27, 2025, he won the 2025 Hans Christian Andersen (International) Art Gold Medal.
49. In July 2025, relevant state authorities officially recognized Fu Chunlin as a Representative Inheritor of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage Project (Traditional Fine Arts Category).
50. In July 2025, he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and attended the investiture ceremony in the UK from August 27 to 30, 2025. This honor is among the highest ranks in the British honours system.