Single Word Character (2019-present)
At the core of Sadler’s practice is the Single Word Character system—a calligraphic method he created by merging the structural logic of Chinese characters with English words. Evolving from his roots in graffiti and text design, it reflects years of research into East Asian calligraphy and philosophy. Each character begins with letters arranged in a square format and is transformed through stroke, balance, and flow, creating symbols that convey meaning while moving beyond legibility and allowing experimentation with form and materiality.
Developed through years of research and design experimentation, the Single Word Character system began in 2009 with alphabet-based studies and evolved in 2019 into complete word forms. Each character transforms an English word into a square-based design—reflecting the structure of Chinese script—and applies the principles of calligraphy to explore balance, rhythm, and flow. The result is a fusion of linguistic design, mindful gesture, and visual harmony. The discipline and precision cultivated through this calligraphic practice inform the intricate brushwork in Sadler’s figurative paintings, where structure and spontaneity converge in ink.
The Path of Totality: Chapter One– Bathed in Shadow, NCMA Winston-Salem, 2025
Early Alphabet Forms (2009-2019)
Change & Perception series (2016)
This series investigates change and perception through a dialogue between Helvetica font and calligraphy-inspired letter forms. Letters of the English alphabet painted in Helvetica font are flipped, rotated, or skewed into an incorrect orientation, and paired with the same letter painted in the correct orientation but in a reimagined form using the principles of Chinese calligraphy.
Nothing is Sacred (2013)
In this experimental short film, Sadler brings us into his world and introduces us to The Three, spirit beings embodied as the Tiger, the Mantis, and the Snake. The Three dwell in the mind of the protagonist in the film, and reveal to him the path to enlightenment. As Brandon travels the landscape of his psyche, each of The Three guide him through worlds of fire, air, and water and teach him the skills he will need to defeat his ultimate enemy. Himself.
Tiger, Mantis, & Snake (2013)
Martial arts and Kung Fu philosophy have shaped Brandon Sadler’s approach to movement and form, inspiring his calligraphy practice. Drawing from modern Chinese scripts—Standard, Semi-cursive, and Cursive—he developed a lettering system he calls Tiger, Mantis, and Snake styles. These forms bridge the structure of Chinese characters with the English alphabet, blending precision, flow, and expressive energy.
