Ding Yi – Chinese Calligrapher

About the Artist

Ding Yi is a calligrapher in the bold tradition of Yan Zhenqing’s regular script, whose writing is known for its vigour, grandeur and unrestrained spirit. Deeply influenced by the masters Wang Duo and Mi Fu, he writes with passionate freedom while remaining firmly rooted in classical discipline.

Artist Introduction

Ding Yi (丁毅), courtesy name Jiqin, with the art names Yishu and Qingquan Ren, is a calligrapher from Shandong Province. He is a member of the Shandong Provincial Calligraphers Association, a council member of the Liaocheng Hard-Pen Calligraphy Association, deputy secretary-general of the Linqing Municipal Calligraphers Association, and a teacher of the Qingquan calligraphy class. Fascinated by calligraphy from childhood, he studied under Master Jiang Zhijie and drew deep inspiration from the model books of Wang Duo and Mi Fu. His style pursues weight and power, grand momentum and uninhibited freedom — he believes a work should be written with spontaneous feeling, unfettered by convention. In 1995 his work won first prize in the Liaocheng region hard-pen calligraphy competition; in 1998 he founded the Qingquan calligraphy class to teach the art to new generations; in 2004 he won first prize in the Liaocheng municipal government calligraphy and painting competition; and in 2006 his work won first prize in the “Highway Cup” calligraphy and painting exhibition. In 2007 his work was selected for the “Quality Watch” fine calligraphy exhibition celebrating the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong’s return and was shown in Hong Kong. His running-cursive works have been published several times in China Quality News. He has also established the Ding Yi Calligraphy Studio, dedicated to calligraphy education and the promotion of traditional culture.

Works Appreciation

Application Scenarios

Ding Yi’s vigorous Yan-style calligraphy brings strength and presence to studies, offices and traditional Chinese interiors, and is an excellent choice for bold plaques and inscriptions. His works also make energetic, characterful gifts that stand out from conventional decorative calligraphy.