Zhang Chuanbin

 Zhang Chuanbin, a native of Wenzhou, Zhejiang, has loved calligraphy since childhood and studied under Mr. Chen Ying, a grand master in the Chinese art world based in Beijing.
         Zhang Chuanbin is currently Vice Chairman of the Decision China Expert Think Tank Alliance; Standing Director of Beijing Hanqing Academy of Painting and Calligraphy; Standing Director of the Painting and Calligraphy Committee of Chinese Artists Network; Council Member, Professor at Training Center, and First-Class Calligrapher of the China Association of Painters, Calligraphers and Photographers; Honorary Advisor and Guest Professor of Zhongguo Heishan · Zhang Sanfeng's Hometown Academy of Painting and Calligraphy; Senior Calligraphy Mentor at Chinese Artists Network Art Garden; Art Advisor of Huaxia Century Masters Academy of Painting and Calligraphy; Chief Creative Committee Member of Xizhi Painting and Calligraphy Newspaper’s Contemporary Art Special Issue; Research Fellow of the China Couplets Society for Calligraphy Art; Invited Renowned Artist of the China National Gift Arts & Crafts Center; Member of the China Calligraphers Association; Member of the China Federation for the Promotion of Cultural Arts; Academician of World Famous Figures Research Institute; President of Zhang's Academy of Painting and Calligraphy.
         Zhang Chuanbin has won numerous awards in national painting and calligraphy competitions, including the First Prize in the "Collection of Masterpieces by Chinese Poets, Writers and Calligraphers"; Gold Prizes in the 2nd and 3rd Charm of Shenzhou National Painting, Calligraphy and Essay Competitions; the Highest Gold Award and First-Class Garden Teacher Award in the 4th Charm of Shenzhou National Painting, Calligraphy and Essay Competition; Gold Prize in the 3rd China Quality-Oriented Education Award · National Campus Fine Arts, Calligraphy and Photography Competition; Gold Prizes in the 5th and 6th Contemporary Xizhi Awards · Invitational Exhibition of Works by Chinese Painters, Calligraphers and Photographers; the Highest Gold Award in the 8th Contemporary Xizhi Awards · Invitational Exhibition of Works by Chinese Painters, Calligraphers and Photographers; the Highest Gold Award and Outstanding Garden Teacher Award in the 13th Yijiao Star National Teachers and Students Painting and Calligraphy Competition; the Highest Gold Award and Special Guidance Teacher Award in the 1st Huaxia Stars Award National Online Painting and Calligraphy Elite Competition; the Highest Gold Award in Splendid China · The 4th Invitation Exhibition of Masterpieces by Contemporary Chinese Calligraphers and Photographers; First Prize for Guidance Teacher in the 1st Golden Finger Cup National Youth Talent Selection Competition for Fine Arts and Calligraphy; the Cultural Innovation Pioneer Award at Beijing Water Cube · Chinese Masters of Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition; the 2nd World Cultural Exchange Great Contribution Award, and received the World Cultural Ambassador Medal.
       He has been honored with titles such as "Outstanding Contemporary Painter and Calligrapher", "Outstanding Artist of the 21st Century", "Pinnacle Figure in Contemporary Art", "Leading Talent in Contemporary Painting and Calligraphy Art", "Meritorious Figure in Contemporary Art", "Model Figure among Chinese Poets, Writers and Calligraphers", "National Gift Artist", "Artist of Greatest Collection Value in Contemporary China", "Sino-Russian Invited Art Ambassador", and "World Cultural Ambassador". He also holds professional titles of "Senior National Calligraphy Teacher", "National First-Class Calligrapher", and "National First-Class Painter".
       Zhang Chuanbin's works have successfully exhibited in the "Chinese Masters of Painting and Calligraphy Art Exhibition" and the "International Art Touring Exhibition". His works have been published multiple times in periodicals such as Xizhi Painting and Calligraphy Newspaper, Art Review Newspaper, and Contemporary Art World. His artworks and artistic biography have been reported by hundreds of media outlets both domestically and overseas.
       His works and biographical records are included in large-scale bilingual Chinese-English reference books such as Who's Who in the World, Dictionary of World Artists, CCTV 2020 Premium Calendar, Collection of Masterpieces by Chinese Poets, Writers and Calligraphers, Collection of Works by Chinese Masters of Painting and Calligraphy, Collection and Appreciation of Works by Chinese Artists, A Pictorial Guide to New China’s Fine Arts, Encyclopedia of Chinese Calligraphers and Painters, and Dictionary of Contemporary Chinese Masters of Painting and Calligraphy, among other major historical documents.
       His works and artistic biography are archived in international and national encyclopedias including International Who's Who Encyclopedia, Chinese Who's Who Encyclopedia, Chinese Calligraphers and Painters Encyclopedia, Art Encyclopedia, Masters of Legacy Encyclopedia, Timeless Art Encyclopedia, Yi Yun Encyclopedia, Star Painter Encyclopedia, National Database of Grand Masters of Painting and Calligraphy, Database of Practitioners in Painting and Calligraphy Arts, and the Ministry of Culture’s Database of Cultural and Artistic Talents.
       Zhang Chuanbin has published specialized collections including The Art Collection of Zhang Chuanbin: A Master Artist of the Chinese Century, Focusing on Contemporary Masters of Art: The Art Collection of Zhang Chuanbin, and Large Documentary Stamp Album: Selected Works of Zhang Chuanbin.  
Art Review:
       Mastery of All Scripts Is No Empty Praise — A Tribute to Eminent Calligrapher Zhang Chuanbin
       
       In terms of calligraphy cultivation, human ability is always limited, so being skilled in all script styles is generally considered an exaggerated compliment within most evaluations of calligraphers. Even great masters throughout history often had one style they failed to master or one skill they could not achieve. For example, Mi Fu lacked excellence in regular script, while Qi Gong was limited in cursive script. However, renowned calligrapher Zhang Chuanbin stands as a new legend in the calligraphy world, possessing extraordinary mastery across all script forms—regular, running, clerical, and seal scripts—all executed with consummate skill.
        Mastery of all scripts, the most difficult being regular script. Let us first examine Zhang Chuanbin’s proficiency in regular script. Among the four great masters of regular script—Yan, Liu, Ouyang, and Zhao—Zhang Chuanbin specializes in the most challenging, Ouyang style. Through dedicated study and imitation of classical models, he first mastered form, then captured spirit. His brushwork, ink application, character structure, and composition have reached a level nearly indistinguishable from original Ouyang works. In today’s calligraphy circles, few devote themselves seriously to regular script, and those who achieve true mastery are almost non-existent. Yet Zhang Chuanbin, driven by a strong ambition to preserve authentic calligraphic tradition and sustained dedication over years, has revived the divine brilliance of regular script. Standing in the calligraphy world, his achievement shines like the sun and moon—majestic and brilliant!
       Zhang Chuanbin’s supreme accomplishment in Ouyang-style regular script reflects his profound capacity for learning from ancient masters. Any great calligrapher must possess determination and perseverance to pursue the sacred path of art. Thus, his running script builds upon this high-level foundation in regular script, taking Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi (the “Two Wangs”) as models, pursuing artistic freedom.
       In writing running script, his brushwork is exceptionally delicate—precise in initiating strokes and unrestrained in finishing them. This technique conveys a remarkably open and fluid aesthetic, clearly inspired by Wang Xizhi’s joyful, free-spirited style seen in the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion. He transforms the timeless principles of brushwork into seamless, spontaneous expressions of the present moment. Such refined technique naturally marks him as a master.
       His running script does not merely absorb the free and joyful essence of Wang Xizhi’s work but also integrates Mi Fu’s bold and vigorous style. Using central-tip brushwork, he creates vivid rhythmic movements, while firmly laying down ink lines with powerful presence. In each running script piece, myriad brush techniques converge. He is both a synthesizer of traditional arts and an innovator. Though drawing from various schools, he harmoniously fuses them into a unique personal style—an exemplary model of innovation rooted deeply in antiquity before emerging anew.
       Calligraphy has always belonged to literati, freely expressing emotion through the brush—especially in cursive script. For many calligraphers, achieving the expressive height of cursive script remains elusive. If too strictly bound by rules, cursive becomes rigid; if overly indulgent in expression, it descends into chaos. Achieving the right balance between discipline and freedom in cursive script depends not only on technical training but also on innate genius with the brush. Cursive script demands talent of a higher order.
       Fortunately, Zhang Chuanbin possesses not only the cultivated excellence derived from studying ancient masters but also an innate, almost supernatural gift. He is both a disciplined practitioner and a spiritually attuned artist. Therefore, when he writes cursive script, emulating the mastery of Huai Su, he channels exceptional artistic genius to drive his brush and ink, reaching a miraculous level of creation. His cursive flows like dragons swirling through high clouds—powerful and dynamic—and lands like phoenixes descending upon parasol trees—graceful and resonant. Form and spirit are perfectly united, achieving a quality that seems divinely crafted.
       Mastery of all scripts is no empty praise—true strength shines like the sun and moon. Zhang Chuanbin reaches peak heights in regular, running, and cursive scripts, while also demonstrating impressive command of seal and clerical scripts with rich classical flavor. He explores the origins of bronze and stone inscriptions, crafting seal script with rounded yet angular strokes, where brushwork mimics knife cuts—elegant, simple, and lush. He has also studied the Ten Famous Han Dynasty Steles, capturing their ancient elegance. From regular to running, cursive, seal, and clerical scripts, not a single aspect is lacking. With accomplishments on all fronts, he truly stands as a complete master! Renowned Art Critic
Shi Feng
August 8, 2018
  Comments from Masters:
       Wu Huiliang (Contemporary Cultural Celebrity) comments: Zhang Chuanbin, a National First-Class Calligrapher, is a renowned contemporary Chinese calligrapher. "Creating works beloved by the general public and doing things beneficial to the people" is the creative principle he steadfastly upholds.
       Zhang Chuanbin emphasizes expressing the rhythm of the times and the spiritual needs of the people in his calligraphy. His heart is filled with intense patriotism and love for the people. He diligently studies steles and copies classical models, breaking through traditional frameworks and writing conventions through personal reflection and artistic exploration, thereby achieving unique creativity and expression in his calligraphic art.
       Zhang Chuanbin’s calligraphy features bold and expansive structures, simultaneously novel and full of charm. Between thick and thin, void and solid, there exists clear connection and responsive brush momentum. His compositions are square, dense, with light horizontal and heavy vertical strokes. His brushwork is strong, round, thick, and majestic, strongly reflecting the stylistic characteristics known as “Yan’s sinews and Liu’s bones.” Each calligraphic work radiates artistic brilliance, truly masterful and highly valuable for collection. Contemporary Cultural Celebrity
Wu Huiliang
May 25, 2020