Adam Shen Xudong / 沈旭东（ b.1965)

A Broad Heart and Joyful Spirit
心旷神怡
Chinese Calligraphy Ink on Rice Paper/宣纸水墨画
135 x 28 cm

This calligraphic work features the idiom 心旷神怡, a phrase that embodies the ideal state of inner peace and mental clarity.

“是指“心境开阔，精神愉快。”
It refers to a state where the mind is open and the spirit is joyful—a sense of tranquility and contentment that arises from within.

Executed in semi-cursive script (行草書), Shen captures not only the elegance of traditional Chinese calligraphy but also the emotional essence behind the words. The spacious composition and confident brushwork reflect the very meaning of the phrase—liberation of the mind and elevation of the spirit.

This piece invites the viewer to slow down, breathe, and enter a state of quiet reflection, embodying the harmony between text, art, and feeling.

Artist Description

Adam Shen Xudong 沈旭东: A Renowned Master of Ink Painting and Calligraphy

Adam Shen Xudong, (b. 1965), is the founder of Sims Arts Academy Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. Together with his family, he established Sims Galleria to promote high art forms such as Chinese ink painting and calligraphy, which have garnered widespread admiration from the public.

Born in Shantou City (Swatow), Adam hails from a family with a long tradition in painting and calligraphy. His grandfather was a peranakan from Southeast Asia, with his influence, Adam began learning calligraphy and painting at a young age, eventually studying under renowned art masters.

He further honed his skills at the China Academy of Art, where he developed profound traditional techniques in landscape, bird-and-flower and figure painting.

Adam holds several esteemed positions in the art world: he is a director of the Chinese Artists Association, Chinese Calligraphers Association, the Shantou Overseas Friendship Association and a member of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce. His works are highly prized by collectors across Southeast Asia, Europe, and America.