In recent years, contemporary calligraphy has seen a vibrant resurgence across Asia, where tradition meets innovation in striking and meaningful ways. From the fluid meditations of Chinese brushwork to the modern reinterpretation of Hangul and the revival of ancient scripts like Baybayin, a new generation of calligraphers is redefining the art form. These artists honour the essence of their cultural heritage while exploring bold, expressive and often cross-disciplinary approaches. In this list, Top 10 of Asia celebrates the top ten most outstanding contemporary calligraphy artists in Asia (presented in no particular order) who are not only preserving ancient traditions but also transforming them into powerful, relevant expressions for today’s global art scene.
Fong Sheeney (Malaysia)
Fong Sheeney is a Chinese calligraphy artist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, originally from Kedah, a state in the northern part of Peninsula Malaysia. With a journey that began at the age of 7, she has perfected the art of blending traditional Chinese calligraphy with contemporary expression. Her work, which reflects her personal experiences and perspectives, has captivated audiences globally. Sheeney’s art has adorned spaces for prestigious brands such as Cartier, Prada and Louis Vuitton, and she has collaborated with esteemed entities like Tsutaya Bookstore, IKEA and Hin Bus Depot. An award-winning artist, Sheeney continues to inspire through live performances, workshops and her masterful creations.
Nakajima Hiroyuki (Japan)
Born in Japan in 1956, Nakajima began learning Japanese calligraphy at 6 years of age and later created contemporary artworks influenced by his deep knowledge of the art form. In 2000, he held a private exhibition in Rome and began performing live-action performances influenced by Tai Chi. He has since exhibited and performed worldwide in Italy, France, Germany, Finland, Belgium, the U.K., the U.S., China and Japan. In 2006, he was invited to the 60th Avignon Festival, an international stage art festival in France. Recently, his works explore global contradictions, including climate change and diversity. His activities have been featured in international publications such as Le Figaro (France) and Corriere della Sera (Italy).
Tusk (Thailand)
Tusk, a contemporary calligraphy artist from Thailand, began his artistic career as a freelance graphic designer before transitioning to calligraphy. In 2013, he studied the Lanna alphabet at Wat Phra Singh Temple in Chiang Mai, deepening his connection to the traditional scripts of Thailand. Tusk blends Thai, Lanna and English alphabets, creating a distinctive fusion that merges tradition with modernity. His work spans calligraffiti, product design and other innovative forms. In 2015, he held his first solo exhibition under the name “TUSK.” Known for his ability to develop new expressions rooted in tradition, Tusk continues to push the boundaries of contemporary calligraphy while preserving his cultural heritage in every piece he creates.
Aoi Yamaguchi (Japan)
Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, Aoi Yamaguchi has been trained to master calligraphy learning under Master Zuiho Sato from the age of 6. She is a recipient of numerous awards and supreme prizes at competitive public exhibitions. Aoi uniquely transforms Japanese calligraphy into physical artistic expression through conceptual performance. She has performed with contemporary dancers, models, and traditional and contemporary musicians all over the world. Currently residing in Venice, California, Yamaguchi continues her work on her conceptual calligraphy installations, exhibitions, workshops and performances as she continues to push the boundaries of traditional Eastern classics and contemporary artistic expression.
Malik Mazlan (Singapore)
A Singaporean Malay calligrapher with a deep interest in Chinese calligraphy, Malik Mazlan uses the tools and principles of this ancient art to reflect the diverse and multicultural world he inhabits. Malik’s work bridges cultural boundaries, inviting viewers to see calligraphy not just as an inherited tradition, but as a living, evolving form speaking to contemporary life. Inspired by the deep cultural heritage of Southeast Asia, Malik’s practice showcases Southeast Asian motifs, interwoven with his personal heritage and his chosen discipline, calligraphy. His work is constantly exploring how Chinese calligraphy can be reimagined in different cultural contexts. For Malik, each stroke is a conversation—between cultures, histories and life in the present moment.
Hiroshi Wada (Japan)
Hiroshi Wada is a contemporary calligraphy artist based in Kyoto, Japan. He began his calligraphy training at the age of five and, at 30, pursued more rigorous study under Ryosetsu Imai, a renowned master. Since 2017, Wada has shared works that transcend traditional calligraphy with a global audience. His works are regularly featured in solo and group exhibitions, particularly across the United States and Europe. Wada’s art is an “art of lines”. It captures the essence of traditional calligraphy while striving to move beyond it. His creative process begins in nothingness; he forgets the classics, returns to innocence and draws from the stillness of Zen. For Wada, true beauty lies on the edge where collapse and intentional lines come together.
Taipan Lucero (Philippines)
George Ian Joseph Figueras Lucero, known as “Taipan,” graduated Cum Laude from UP Diliman’s College of Fine Arts in 2012. He began as a startup ad studio founder before working as a designer in Japan, where he studied Japanese Calligraphy. There, his interest in Baybayin—an ancient Filipino script—began. Returning to the Philippines, he developed CalligraFilipino, a unique style that blends Baybayin with indigenous designs. In 2018, he held his first solo exhibit at the NCCA in Manila. His 2022 U.S. tour included exhibits and lectures at Philippine embassies and consulates, earning recognition from San Francisco’s mayor and California’s state legislature. His collaborators include Google, Stanford, Logitech, the Golden State Warriors and the Asian Art Museum.
Gen Miyamura (Japan)
Gen Miyamura boldly interprets calligraphy and pursues the beauty of ink art through innovative approaches. His work follows two directions: one explores digital collages made from calligraphic lines, the other draws on language symbols and systems to create contemporary art. His art is not confined to the traditional framework of calligraphy but instead seeks a broader form of expression that seamlessly traverses both the digital and analogue worlds. By embracing a contemporary perspective, Miyamura challenges conventional boundaries and redefines what calligraphy can be in the modern era. His works have been recognised for their sophistication and have been installed in numerous luxury hotels, reflecting both artistic depth and refined aesthetic appeal that resonate with a global audience.
Jameson Yap (Malaysia)
Rooted in tradition yet guided by innovation, Jameson Yap is a contemporary calligrapher renowned for the “River Stroke” philosophy—a meditative approach inspired by nature’s fluidity and balance. Mentored by his grandfather, he transforms each stroke into a dialogue between past and present. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at The Starhill KL, Park Hyatt Toronto and Shangri-La Vancouver, and is part of collections across Asia, North America and Europe. Through live performances and lectures, including at the Vancouver Art Gallery, he continues to share the timeless beauty of calligraphy as a profound expression of reflection and inner stillness.
Kim So-young (Korea)
Kim Soyoung, known artistically as Geulssidang, is a self-taught Korean calligrapher who reimagines the elegance of Hangul through brush and ink. Her signature performance, “The Art of Circle,” symbolises completeness and infinite possibility, often delivered in traditional Hanbok to blend heritage with modern aesthetics. Her expressive brushwork and emotional depth have led to collaborations with renowned brands while her work spans calligraphy, branding, design and spatial art. Geulssidang represents her unique artistic philosophy and identity as she continues to share the beauty of Hangul globally, creating culturally resonant works that bridge tradition and contemporary sensibility.