Traversing Time, Beyond Imagery:
The Art of Wang Dongling's Cursive Script

Contemporary Chinese Calligrapher Wang Dongling Delivers Art Talk and Demonstration

On 1 September, the esteemed contemporary Chinese calligrapher Wang Dongling delivered an enlightening art talk titled “Traversing Time, Beyond Imagery: The Art of Wang Dongling’s Chaos Script” at Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) Grand Cultural Centre. The event, co-organised by SGM and Malaysia Seal Carving Association, attracted some 350 participants on-site and online. The art talk was moderated by Malaysian contemporary artist C.N.Liew.

At nearly eighty years of age, Wang Dongling has devoted more than six decades to the art of calligraphy. Currently serving as Director of the Modern Calligraphy Research Centre of the China Academy of Art. He is renowned for his innovative “silver-salt calligraphy” and “chaos script style.” He has held three solo exhibitions at the National Art Museum of China and has been invited to create monumental calligraphic works live at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and The British Museum in London. His works are housed in prominent collections worldwide, including The Palace Museum in Beijing, The Yale University Art Gallery, and Harvard University.

In his talk, Wang reminisced about his childhood passion for painting and calligraphy, which started with the disciplined practice of copying model scripts. He emphasised that becoming a calligrapher requires not only technical training but also a broadening of one’s perspective and the cultivation of cultural literacy.

During the Q&A session, Wang responded to the questions from the audience on various aspects of his artistic practice and the education of calligraphy. He outlined the evolution of his “chaos script style” and “silver-salt calligraphy,” emphasising that genuine innovation should be grounded in tradition while also daring to go beyond established conventions. For him, art should not be confined to established frameworks but should continually push toward the unknown. On education, he distinguished between two approaches: “training calligraphers” and “nurturing interest.” He advocates that priority should be given to igniting enthusiasm and allowing calligraphy to become a joyful and free form of expression, especially at the beginner’s stage. In his view, not everyone needs to become a calligrapher, but everyone can experience the cultural richness of writing calligraphy.

When asked about overcoming creative impasses, Wang candidly noted that artistic creation inevitably involves struggle and repetition. He emphasised that perseverance is crucial. He encouraged young artists to set long-term goals, remain resilient, and explore various models or modes of expression when facing setbacks. Above all, he highlighted the importance of cultivating self-confidence in one’s own aesthetic judgment, rather than becoming overly concerned with external criticism.

As the event drew to a close, Wang captivated the audience with a live demonstration. Skilfully using a blend of white and green acrylic paints, Wang inscribed one of President Ikeda’s renowned quotes, “Create History from Moment to Moment,” on a transparent acrylic board, marking a memorable moment at the SGM Grand Cultural Centre.

Wang’s sharing exemplifies his role as a calligrapher at the confluence of tradition and contemporary practice. His calligraphy does not merely replicate ancient models, but seeks to expand the possibilities of this age-old art with each stroke. The art talk not only enriched cultural exchange between China and Malaysia, but also inspired audiences to reflect more deeply on the essence and future of calligraphy, as both a continuation of tradition and a vibrant expression of the present spirit.