Hilde Mertens
Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy
i walked into the world of Chinese calligraphy by chance. a wonderful world with sounds of its own and
no boundaries
an art journey in 8 chinese characters
My fascination with the works of Brice Marden, Franz Kline and Cy Twombly sparked a profound question: is a single line still art?
This inquiry led me into the captivating world of Chinese calligraphy where thousands of years of Chinese symbols, poetry, the energy and flow in brush strokes and the silence of empty space converge.
Through a deep exploration and deconstruction of Chinese calligraphy anchored on eight foundational characters, such as the etymology of ç´ “su” (the essence), é—´ “jian” (the gaps in between) or ç ´ “po” (to break apart), I have created a space to rethink the stories and meanings we so often take for granted.
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I invite my audience to expand and deconstruct their understanding how meaning is formed, not only of language but of the very fabric of consciousness.

Originally from Belgium, I call Hong Kong and Asia my home. With a Master’s in Chinese and Economics, my professional path has spanned Investment and Private Banking to Management Consulting. An alumnus of Oxford's Said Business School and a Board member of Lingnan University, I have been privileged to live and work from Beijing to Singapore, London to Hong Kong, All while nurturing my passion for art.
"po" broken, torn, to disrupt
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Breaking the rules and customs but never jeopardizing technique. Making a million mistakes, growing, exposing what lies beneath.
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Searching for something new in the brushstrokes of the old Masters. Where does culture reside?



press
​S Magazine, January 2024
The HK Club News, April 2023
The HK Club News, April 2024
The Belgium-Luxembourg CC HK magazine
The Standard, May 2025



