Zheng Chaojian

Name: Zheng Chaojian
Pen name: Ge Dao
Hometown: Poyang County, Jiangxi 
Date of birth: October 1958
Specialty: Calligraphy creation
Representative works: "Art of Running and Cursive Script", "Regular Script Couplet"
Artistic achievements: Member of China Calligraphers Association, member of the Painting and Calligraphy Committee of China Cultural Management Association, member of China Huaxia Ten Thousand Li Journey Painters and Calligraphers Association, National First-Class Calligrapher, Most Collectible Value Artist in China, Representative of Great China Calligraphy Masters, Influential Figure of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, Contemporary Master of Painting and Calligraphy in the People's Daily Grand Art Channel, Cultural Consultant at Beijing Yunmo Art & Culture, Art Director of China Internet Alliance, Member of the Research Association of Calligraphy Art, Chinese Couplet Society.

Iron Strokes and Silver Hooks, Emulating Sages — Freehand Expression of Emotion: A Profile of Renowned Calligrapher Zheng Chaojian
        Contemporary calligraphy has fallen into a rigid trap of mechanically copying steles and帖 (calligraphy models), where many practitioners pick up a model book without thoughtful contemplation and begin copying it verbatim. After months of mechanical imitation, they fail to grasp form or spirit, then lament, “Calligraphy is so difficult,” and gradually lose motivation. In fact, upon viewing the works of renowned contemporary calligrapher Mr. Zheng Chaojian, one immediately realizes that beyond profound mastery of traditional models lies an expressive, liberated style—freehand writing from the heart. He has truly unlocked the secret of how and what to learn from ancient masters: his ability to deeply internalize models while also transcending them makes him a master who honors tradition without being bound by it!
        His calligraphy is broad in scope and excels in multiple styles, yet stands out most prominently in wild cursive script. From the perspective of learning from antiquity, he first studied Zhang Zhi, then Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, followed by Zhang Xu and Huai Su, comprehensively studied the *Shupu* (Calligraphy Manual), and later incorporated the style of Wang Duo. Thus, his pursuit of technique is not limited to one school or era, but spans across dynasties and styles. By drawing on various traditions and integrating them seamlessly, he absorbs the essence of cursive script’s origins and evolution throughout Chinese calligraphy history. He learns the brush techniques of predecessors while awakening his own inner vision, using spiritual insight to drive technical brilliance—hence his cursive script soars like dragons and phoenixes battling through clouds, executed in one continuous breath, utterly unimpeded!
 
        Studying his cursive works, one can discern traces of the *Seventeen Posts*—a hallmark of Zhangcao (cursive隶). There is also the form and rhythm of modern cursive, infused with the spirit of the *Xia Re Tie*, demonstrating solid foundation in Jincao. Yet most captivating is his unrestrained wild cursive—the very expression of “Zhang the Mad” and “Su the狂”. With iron strokes and silver hooks, flying white ink and powerful turns, sharp pauses and dynamic shifts, he freely writes from the heart. Synthesizing the grandeur and energy of the *Four Ancient Poems* and the *Autobiography Scroll*, he captures the artistic realm of the “Sage of Cursive Script.” One cannot help but admire his supreme mastery and spiritual communion with the ancients!
 
        A prevalent flaw in today’s cursive script must be addressed: many stray from established rules and fall into the pit of false freedom. As commonly said, “If cursive script doesn’t follow standards, even immortals can’t read it.” In contrast, whether writing modern or wild cursive, Mr. Zheng Chaojian always establishes structure before expressing freedom. He precisely balances discipline and liberty—never allowing rigidity to stifle expressive flow, nor letting freedom dissolve structural integrity. Every stroke has its origin; every piece conveys emotion. Inner cultivation and outer technique walk hand-in-hand, inseparable.
        Iron strokes and silver hooks emulate sages; freehand writing expresses true emotion. His calligraphy powerfully resists the current tide of chaotic,江湖-style (pseudo-artistic) trends in the calligraphy world. What should cursive script look like? Not random scribbles meant to deceive others or oneself, nor dull, lifeless copying. It should be as Mr. Zheng Chaojian demonstrates: infusing emotional dynamism into the rhythmic movement of the brush, allowing calligraphy to elevate the soul. When calligraphy and heartfelt sentiment become one, the cultural realm of art rises—as exemplified by Zheng Chaojian—to the pinnacle of our time!

Renowned Art Critic Liu Zhenming, October 17, 2019