Ink, Tradition and Modern Celebrations: Lunar New Year with Fendi, Porsche, Kennedy & SEEK

Every Lunar New Year, something special happens. 

In spaces usually filled with fashion, modern is design or corporate conversations, an ancient tradition appears. A table is set with ink, brushes and red paper. Guests gather around. And slowly, with intention, Chinese characters begin to form stroke by stroke.

This year, I had the joy of celebrating Lunar New Year through live Chinese calligraphy with Fendi, Porsche, Kennedy, and SEEK. Bringing a tradition that is thousands of years old into contemporary spaces and modern celebrations.

A luxury boutique and a light filled corporate office suddenly becomes a place where heritage and artistry meet the present moment.

The Traditional Process Behind Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy begins long before the first stroke touches the paper.

Traditionally, the process involves preparing what is known as the “Four Treasures of the Study”: the brush, ink, paper, and ink stone.

The ink is often ground slowly from a solid ink stick against the stone with water, creating a rich, deep black pigment. This quiet preparation is part of the ritual. It slows the artist down and sets the rhythm before the writing begins.

When the brush finally touches the paper, each movement carries intention.

Chinese calligraphy takes years of practice, it is a balance of pressure, speed, and breath. A single character may contain multiple variations of thick and thin strokes, pauses, balance and movements that reflect both control of the brush, strength and flow.

During this Lunar New Year - The Year of Horse, the blessing people request often represent wishes for the year ahead:

• 福 (Fu) — Good fortune

• 馬到功成 ( Mǎ dào gōng chéng) —Success arrives the moment the horse arrives

• 招財進寶 ( Zhāo cái jìn bǎo) — May wealth and treasure flow into your home

• 萬事如意 ( Wàn shì rú yì) —May everything go as you wish

Watching these blessings appear in real time becomes part of the experience. The brush slows, turns, lifts, and the ink spreads softly into the paper.

For many guests, it’s the first time they have seen this tradition up close.

Tradition in Modern Spaces

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing how naturally this ancient art form fits into contemporary environments.

At Fendi, Porsche & Kennedy, guests received personalised calligraphy pieces to celebrate the new year, transforming a luxury retail experience into something meaningful and memorable.

Live calligraphy became a moment of interaction within the celebration, guests gathering around the table, curious about the characters and their meanings.

Even people who have never encountered Chinese calligraphy before are drawn to the process. They lean in to watch. They ask about the meaning of the blessings. They take photos of the moment the ink touches the paper.

In those moments, tradition becomes alive again.

Sharing the Tradition Through Art: A Corporate Workshop with SEEK

One of the highlights of this Lunar New Year season was working with SEEK in a slightly different format.

Instead of a live event performance, I led a corporate cultural workshop, guiding their team through the traditions behind Chinese brush art.

Together we explored both Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting, introducing participants to the basics of brush control, ink flow, and expressive strokes. Many of them had never held a Chinese brush before, but within minutes they were experimenting with bamboo leaves, simple characters, and expressive lines.

Workshops like this are always special because they turn the experience from something people watch into something they actively participate in.

There’s always a moment when the room becomes quiet as everyone focuses on the brush, discovering how much feeling and movement can exist within a single stroke.

It becomes less about perfection and more about presence.

A Bridge Between Heritage and Experience

As someone who grew up with Chinese culture and now works as an artist in Australia, Lunar New Year events hold a special place in my heart.

Through calligraphy and brush painting, I’m not only creating beautiful pieces for guests to take home. I’m also sharing a living tradition - one that carries centuries of history, symbolism, and artistry.

For brands and organisations, it creates something deeper than decoration.

It becomes a cultural experience.
A conversation starter.
A moment of connection.

And sometimes, the most memorable part of an event is simply watching a brush glide across paper.

Looking Ahead to the Next Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year continues to grow as a global celebration, and it’s inspiring to see more brands and organisations embracing it in thoughtful and creative ways.

Live Chinese calligraphy and brush painting offer a meaningful way to bring that celebration to life - combining tradition, artistry, and personal interaction.

If you are planning a Lunar New Year celebration, brand activation, or corporate workshop, I would love to help create a unique experience through live Chinese calligraphy or Chinese brush painting.

Because sometimes the most powerful way to welcome a new year…
is with something very simple. Ink, paper and  brush.

—

Candy Ng

Fine Artist | Live Event Illustrator & Calligrapher
Melbourne, Australia, Available internationally