Zheng Chaojian

Name: Zheng Chaojian
Pen name: Ge Dao
Hometown: Jiangxi Poyang County 
Date of Birth: October 1958
Specialty: Calligraphy Creation
Representative Works: "Art of Running and Cursive Script", "Regular Script Couplets"
Artistic Achievements: Member of the China Calligraphers Association, Calligraphy Working Committee of the China Cultural Management Association, Member of the China Huaxia Wanlixing Calligraphers and Painters Association, National First-Class Calligrapher, Most Collectible Artist in China, Art Representative of Great Beauty China Calligraphy Masters, One of the Most Influential Figures on the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, Contemporary Master of Calligraphy on the Great Beauty Calligraphy Channel of the People's Daily, Beijing Yunmo Cultural Arts Consultant, Art Director of the China Internet Alliance, Member of the Calligraphy Art Research Society of the China Couplet Society.

Iron Brush, Silver Hooks: Emulating the Sages, Releasing the Heart to Express True Nature—On the Noted Calligrapher Zheng Chaojian
        Contemporary calligraphy has fallen into a predicament of rigidly copying ancient models. Many practitioners pick up a model scroll, without applying any thoughtful reflection, begin mechanically copying it for months on end, achieving form without technique, spirit without heart, and thus lament, "Calligraphy is so hard," losing all motivation to further practice. Yet, upon viewing the calligraphic works of the renowned contemporary calligrapher Mr. Zheng Chaojian, one discovers that beneath his profound foundation in ancient models lies an unrestrained expression of heart and boundless freedom! He has truly unlocked the secret of how to learn from the ancients—and what to learn. Thus, when practicing ancient models, he can fully immerse himself within them, yet also transcend them, becoming a master who draws from tradition without being confined by it!
        His calligraphy spans a wide range of styles with exceptional mastery, but he stands out prominently in the realm of wild cursive script. From the perspective of learning from the past, his cursive script begins with Zhang Zhi, then advances to the Two Wangs, followed by masters Zhang Xu and Huaisu, thoroughly studying the Book of Calligraphy, and later incorporating the stylistic influence of Wang Duo. Therefore, his pursuit of artistic principles does not limit itself to a single school or era, but rather adopts a panoramic view, drawing from diverse traditions and integrating them seamlessly, absorbing the essence of the origins and evolution of cursive script throughout history into every stroke. He emulates the brilliance of ancient masters while awakening his own inner insight, allowing his spiritual understanding to drive the artistry of his brushwork, resulting in cursive script that soars like dragons and phoenixes battling the clouds—fluid, uninterrupted, and utterly unimpeded!
 
        When examining his cursive script, one perceives the imprint of the Seventeen Anthology Treatises—a testament to his mastery of clerical cursive—and the elegance of modern cursive, infused with the spirit of the Summer Heat Scroll—an indication of his profound skill in modern cursive. Yet most captivating and emotionally stirring are the unrestrained expressions of wild cursive—the exuberant vitality of Zhang the Mad and Huai the Crazy. Iron brushstrokes and silver hooks, flying white strokes rugged and vigorous, intricate twists and abrupt pauses—all embody the free release of the heart. He synthesizes the grandeur and atmosphere of the Four Ancient Poems and the Self-Narrative Scroll, attaining the very essence of the Sage of Cursive Script. One cannot help but marvel at his extraordinary mastery and his ability to communicate with the sages of antiquity!
 
        Today, many practitioners of cursive script exhibit a glaring flaw: they abandon discipline and plunge into the pit of reckless freedom—the so-called "cursive script without rules, even immortals cannot recognize." But when we examine Mr. Zheng Chaojian’s cursive script, whether modern or wild, we find that he first adheres rigorously to rules before embracing freedom. He precisely balances the harmonious relationship between discipline and spontaneity: neither does rigid adherence to rules hinder natural expression, nor does excessive pursuit of freedom undermine foundational discipline. Every stroke has its origin; every composition expresses emotion. His inner law and calligraphic technique are inseparable, always accompanying each other like shadow and form.
        Iron brush, silver hooks: emulating the sages; releasing the heart to express true nature. His calligraphy powerfully resists the current corrupt trends in the calligraphy world. What should cursive script look like? It should not be chaotic scribbling meant to deceive the public, nor should it be the dull monotony of mere transcription. Rather, it should resemble the work of Mr. Zheng Chaojian—infusing dynamic emotion into the rhythmic movement of the brush, allowing calligraphy to elevate the soul through cultural guidance. When calligraphy becomes one with thought and feeling, its cultural realm ascends, as in the case of Zheng Chaojian, to the pinnacle of our era!

Renowned Calligraphy and Painting Critic Liu Zhenming
October 17, 2019