Quanzhou (Jack) Zhao is an award-winning ink and calligraphy artist. In this lecture-demonstration, Zhao provides historical and cultural context for this highly esteemed art form, Chinese calligraphy, and interprets some of the greatest ancient masterpieces, including the Orchid Pavilion Preface, which is widely regarded as the greatest calligraphy work by Wang Xizhi. 

Chinese calligraphy is not only an art form but also a representation of thousands of years of culture and history. It is a unique way to express oneself through brushstrokes and is often seen as a form of meditation. Through his lecture and demonstration, Zhao aims to share the beauty and significance of Chinese calligraphy, providing a deeper understanding of its status as the supreme art form in China and East Asia since the 3rd century AD. During the demonstration, Zhao showcases the basic techniques of holding a brush, controlling the brush and ink, and writing basic strokes and characters. At the end, the audience can try their hand at Chinese calligraphy on rice paper (materials will be provided). 

Zhao has learned and practiced Literati painting and Chinese calligraphy since childhood. He graduated from the acclaimed painting program at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. He proudly won the Gold Medal Prize of the Royal Association of Professional Artists of Belgium in 2001. Later that year, he relocated to the United States to further his art studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he earned his MFA degree. Zhao's artworks and live calligraphy performances have been exhibited at various prestigious locations, including the Walloon Fine Art Museum in Belgium, the Culture Center of Monterrey in Mexico, the Boston Sculptors Gallery, the Fuller Craft Museum, and The Peabody Essex Museum/Fountain Area. Visit his website here.