(Bandar Seri Begawan, 6th) Recently, several pieces by renowned Bruneian calligrapher and Co-Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Calligraphers Association, Mr. Yu Qingzai, have been included in the art publication 'The Beauty of China'. As an overseas Chinese who combines a professional background in law with a profound cultivation in Chinese culture, Yu Qingzai has, for decades, taken calligraphy as a medium, diligently promoting and spreading the art within Brunei’s multicultural context, becoming a practitioner advancing the dialogue between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
Interdisciplinary Knowledge Nourishes Artistic Foundations: Yu Qingzai was born in 1943 in Gutian, Fujian. In 1967, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education in Taiwan, and in 1974, qualified as a barrister in London. His studies across regions and fields have granted him a broad international perspective and a deep understanding of the logic behind communication between different civilizations. In his study of calligraphy, he has apprenticed under masters such as Lin Jinglong, Zeng Woshi, and Chen Lihui, and systematically studied the teaching materials of Ouyang Zhongshi. He has inherited the rigorous rules of the Ou style and the graceful charm of the Jin dynasty, forming a brushwork style that is both firm and gentle, dignified and elegant. The lines and structures in his work echo the concept of 'harmonious coexistence in diversity' between civilizations.
Rooted in Brunei, Pioneering Local Calligraphy Associations: After emigrating to Brunei, Yu Qingzai devoted himself to localizing and spreading Chinese calligraphic art. While serving as President of the Brunei Alumni Association of Taiwan, he founded Brunei’s first calligraphy society, 'Han Tang Shudao', and served as the calligraphy instructor for the Hua He Cultural Foundation in Brunei for twelve years, helping calligraphic art take root in the local community. Today, he holds multiple positions, including Acting President of the Brunei Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Cultural Association, Co-Chairman and Brunei Chapter President of the Overseas Chinese Calligraphers Association, Co-Chairman of the ASEAN-China Painters and Calligraphers Union, and Vice President of the World Cultural and Arts General Association, continuing to drive regional artistic cooperation.
International Exhibitions Highlight Cultural Integration: Yu Qingzai has organized a number of major calligraphy exhibitions in Brunei, including the Brunei, Sarawak, and Sabah Invitational Exhibition, the 20th Anniversary Reunion of Taiwan Alumni Calligraphy Exhibition, and the ASEAN Taiwan Alumni and Taiwan Masters Invitational Exhibition. In 2022, to celebrate the anniversary of Brunei-China diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue, he successfully held the 'ASEAN-China Calligraphy Joint Exhibition' at Seria Chung Ching Middle School in Brunei. In 2024, he organized the 'Brunei 40th Independence Anniversary and 5th Global Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition' at the Fuzhou Ten Counties Guild Hall in Brunei’s capital, attracting calligraphers from multiple countries and showcasing the harmonious resonance between Chinese art and the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia.
Additionally, his works have been exhibited by invitation at international calligraphy exhibitions held in Beijing, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, South Korea, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Dubai, and other locations. He has published several special collections, including 'Han Tang Shudao Exchange Exhibition' and 'Yu Qingzai’s Personal Calligraphy Collection', continuously conveying the spirit of Chinese culture through his brush.
Practicing 'Beauty in Harmony' Through Art: Yu Qingzai’s creations are always rooted in tradition yet maintain an open and inclusive stance. He believes that calligraphy should not be confined to the elegant interests of the study but should become an emotional link connecting different ethnicities and nations. His works focus on constructing universally perceptible aesthetic structures and inspiring resonance with the common values of humanity, echoing contemporary China’s call for 'creative transformation and innovative development' of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
As an overseas Chinese artist, Yu Qingzai has demonstrated through decades of practice the unique power of art in building a community with a shared future for mankind. His experiences and works stand as vivid examples of mutual learning among civilizations and harmonious coexistence, providing a model worthy of reference for contemporary public cultural exchange.
Interdisciplinary Knowledge Nourishes Artistic Foundations: Yu Qingzai was born in 1943 in Gutian, Fujian. In 1967, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education in Taiwan, and in 1974, qualified as a barrister in London. His studies across regions and fields have granted him a broad international perspective and a deep understanding of the logic behind communication between different civilizations. In his study of calligraphy, he has apprenticed under masters such as Lin Jinglong, Zeng Woshi, and Chen Lihui, and systematically studied the teaching materials of Ouyang Zhongshi. He has inherited the rigorous rules of the Ou style and the graceful charm of the Jin dynasty, forming a brushwork style that is both firm and gentle, dignified and elegant. The lines and structures in his work echo the concept of 'harmonious coexistence in diversity' between civilizations.
International Exhibitions Highlight Cultural Integration: Yu Qingzai has organized a number of major calligraphy exhibitions in Brunei, including the Brunei, Sarawak, and Sabah Invitational Exhibition, the 20th Anniversary Reunion of Taiwan Alumni Calligraphy Exhibition, and the ASEAN Taiwan Alumni and Taiwan Masters Invitational Exhibition. In 2022, to celebrate the anniversary of Brunei-China diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue, he successfully held the 'ASEAN-China Calligraphy Joint Exhibition' at Seria Chung Ching Middle School in Brunei. In 2024, he organized the 'Brunei 40th Independence Anniversary and 5th Global Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition' at the Fuzhou Ten Counties Guild Hall in Brunei’s capital, attracting calligraphers from multiple countries and showcasing the harmonious resonance between Chinese art and the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia.
Additionally, his works have been exhibited by invitation at international calligraphy exhibitions held in Beijing, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, South Korea, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Dubai, and other locations. He has published several special collections, including 'Han Tang Shudao Exchange Exhibition' and 'Yu Qingzai’s Personal Calligraphy Collection', continuously conveying the spirit of Chinese culture through his brush.
Practicing 'Beauty in Harmony' Through Art: Yu Qingzai’s creations are always rooted in tradition yet maintain an open and inclusive stance. He believes that calligraphy should not be confined to the elegant interests of the study but should become an emotional link connecting different ethnicities and nations. His works focus on constructing universally perceptible aesthetic structures and inspiring resonance with the common values of humanity, echoing contemporary China’s call for 'creative transformation and innovative development' of excellent traditional Chinese culture.
As an overseas Chinese artist, Yu Qingzai has demonstrated through decades of practice the unique power of art in building a community with a shared future for mankind. His experiences and works stand as vivid examples of mutual learning among civilizations and harmonious coexistence, providing a model worthy of reference for contemporary public cultural exchange.