Ryan Loi (筆名 夜焱) is a Singapore-based calligraphy artist working at the intersection of tradition, contemporary art, and visual communication.
His practice is rooted in Japanese Shodo (書道). He studied under his teacher, Kimie Nagai Sensei (永井公栄先生), of Shuji Kenkyusha (習字研究社), Japan, and is formally ranked and certified by the organisation, with multiple awards at its national calligraphy exhibitions.
Shodo is a distinct Japanese discipline rooted in Chinese calligraphic traditions and developed through centuries of Japanese study, interpretation, and refinement, including uniquely Japanese forms such as Kana calligraphy (仮名書道).
His work includes permanent calligraphy art across all 62 private pool villas at Raffles Hotel Sentosa, including the Chairman’s Room; live performances for Lexus, BBC Studios Asia, and Shiseido; and title design for productions at Esplanade and Nine Years Theatre.
As Creative Director of Whitewood Creative Co., his commercial work has earned multiple international design awards. This combination of disciplined calligraphic practice and commercial creative strategy brings tradition into a contemporary visual context.
Heritage is the advantage
承先啟後
Bio
Selected Highlights
• 12 National Awards from Japan
• Selected works for Raffles Hotel Sentosa, Lexus, BBC Studios Asia, Shiseido, Esplanade
• Certified 6th Dan (六段) · 師範傳師補 · Shuji Kenkyusha (習字研究社), Japan
• Collaborations with National Arts Council, Nine Years Theatre, Mediacorp, Metro
Awards & Exhibitions (Japan)
• 2026 — Tanabata Exhibition: Gold 金賞 (Kanji), Silver 銀賞 (Kana), Silver 銀賞 (Pen)
• 2026 — Shohatsu Exhibition: Excellence 秀 (Kanji), Silver 銀賞 (Kana)
• 2025 — Tanabata Exhibition: Excellence 秀 (Kanji), Silver 銀賞 (Kana)
• 2025 — Shohatsu Exhibition: Gold 金賞 (Kanji)
• 2024 — Tanabata Exhibition: Gold 金賞 (Kanji)
• 2024 — Shohatsu Exhibition: Gold 金賞 (Kanji), Bronze 銅賞 (Kana)
• 2023 — Tanabata Exhibition: Gold 金賞 (Kanji)
Performances & Collaborations
• BBC Studios Asia · British High Commission, Singapore (2024)
• Lexus Singapore (2024)
• Sompo Asia · KOMA, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore (2024)
• National Arts Council Digital Art Collaboration, Singapore (2023)
• Co-Exhibition with Kimie Nagai Sensei, Singapore (2023)
• Shiseido 150th Anniversary · ION Singapore (2022)
• Scene Shang · Raffles Hotel Singapore (2019)
• Xiamen National Art Gallery, China (2018)
Certifications & Titles — Shuji Kenkyusha (習字研究社), Japan
• 2025 — 6th Dan (六段) · 師範傳師補
• 2024 — 5th Dan (五段) · 師範教授
• 2023 — 4th Dan (四段) · 師範助教授
• 2023 — 3rd Dan (三段) · 準師範高等科
Features & Press
• 2024 — LianHe ZaoBao, Singapore (Feb 4)
• 2023 — LianHe ZaoBao, Singapore (Aug 7)
• 2022 — HDB Community Article, Singapore (Apr 13)
• 2022 — Tatler Singapore (Dec)
Branding, Commercial Art & Campaigns
2026
• CNY Mascot Campaign · Mediacorp
2025
• Raffles Hotel Sentosa — Chairman’s Room & 62 Private Pool Villas
2024
• CNY Campaign · Metro
2022
• Corporate Gift Artwork · Metro
2021
• Brand Identity Calligraphy · Uncle Lee Confectionery
2019
• CNY Campaign · Mediacorp
2018
• Restaurant Wall Mural · Uni Gallery
Title Design — Film, Musical & Theatre
2025
• Twelve Angry Men 十二怒汉 · Esplanade & Nine Years Theatre
2023
• Immortal Variables 八仙变数 · Nine Years Theatre / Hsing Legend Theatre
• BOOM 建设繁荣 · Sight Lines
2022
• Between You and Me 你我之间 · Esplanade & Nine Years Theatre
2021
• Electrify My World 让世界触电 · Nine Years Theatre
2019
• First Fleet 第一舰队 · Nine Years Theatre
• Three Sisters 三姐妹 · Nine Years Theatre
2018
• Lear Is Dead 李尔亡 · Nine Years Theatre
• Immortal X XX神童 · The Theatre Practice
2017
• 梁Ju · Mediacorp Radio 972
Available for commissions, performances, and engagements worldwide.