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The opening ceremony of the “2025 Heart – Zhang Wenyou Calligraphy Exhibition” was held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s S.H. Ho College today (18 February). The exhibition showcases 30 selected works by contemporary Chinese calligrapher Mr Zhang Wenyou, who writes with his mouth and expresses classic texts through various scripts such as regular, running and cursive, demonstrating his decades of refined calligraphic skills. The exhibition runs until 5 October.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Mr Zhang himself; Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; Master Hongzang, President of the Buddhist Association of Qianjiang City, Chongqing, China; Master Xiude, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of Luoyuan, Fuzhou, China and the Abbot of Longhua Temple; Professor Vincent Mok, Master of S.H. Ho College, CUHK; and Miss Kwok Hoi-ching, Vice-president of the Student Union Representative Council of S.H. Ho College, CUHK.

Mr Zhang was born in a rural area of Henan, China. He lost both arms in an accident during childhood that involved high-voltage electricity. With determination, he learned calligraphy using his mouth, training under renowned masters such as Geng Chunlin, Liu Xi’an and Zhang Rongqing. His works have received numerous national awards, including the Third Lanting Award for Calligraphy in China and the First National Youth Calligraphy and Seal Carving Award. This exhibition marks his first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, featuring key works like Lantingxu and Heart Sutra that showcase his diverse styles.

During the opening ceremony, Professor Mok said: “Mr Zhang’s story is a true reflection of courage and perseverance. He practised calligraphy using his mouth, enduring unimaginable hardships and challenges, and ultimately achieved remarkable success. In adversity, he uses calligraphy as a means of expressing his heart. Each piece tells a story of his resilience and hope. He reminds us not to give up when facing challenges but to strive to find our own meaning and direction.”

Mr Zhang said: “Calligraphy, known as fashu (model writing) in ancient times, refers to the techniques or methods of writing characters that can be emulated. It means that the written characters not only serve a practical function but also possess artistic beauty, offering a delightful visual experience. All methods stem from the heart, making calligraphy an expression of the heart itself. During the process of writing, the mind gradually becomes focused, unconsciously letting go of all worldly burdens and naturally entering a state of joy. A joyful heart brings boundless ease. This demonstrates that calligraphy is not only a visual art but also a practice of nurturing well-being.”

A public lecture “Calligraphy is the Heart’s Expression”, held on the same day, featured Mr Zhang demonstrating calligraphy and discussing how to integrate traditional calligraphy into modern spaces. He said: “When the works resonate with the audience, calligraphy transcends paper and ink, and becomes a dialogue that crosses time and space.”

Exhibition Details

“2025 Heart – Zhang Wenyou Calligraphy Exhibition”