‘My seals should be surnamed Han’
Print Edition
His seals for paintings and calligraphy are state gifts; he is an author of many works and his academic theories have taken the lead in art circles; he has received numerous awards, achieved great fame and his work has come to be regarded as a landmark in the art of Chinese seal-carving art.
His name is Han Tianheng.
Seal-carvers all agree that the seal-carving art originated from the Qin (221-207 BC) and Han (202-220 BC) dynasties, with the art at that time considered some of the best in Chinese history.
When he was young, Han’s seals were often mistaken for real Qin and Han dynasty seals. But that didn’t please him and he carved 16 Chinese characters meaning: “Qin Dynasty’s seals were surnamed Qin, Han Dynasty’s seals were surnamed Han (ºº) and my seals should be surnamed Han (º«).”
Han created his own unique style.
A style of his own
Born in 1940 in Shanghai, Han became interested in seal-carving when in primary school.
The shortest in class, he sat in the front row. He couldn’t focus on mathematics and science classes but only liked to carve seals on his desk. His teacher never scolded him and his comments at the end of the semester were: “This student has a genius for art and we hope that he receives proper related art education.”
Because of his devotion to art, he failed his other courses repeatedly and failed to gain a place at a higher education institution.
When he was 16, Han got a job at the Shanghai No. 6 State-owned Cotton Factory but in his spare time studied calligraphy and seal-carving.
Then he joined the military. During his service in the Navy, he used all his spare time learning art. He used the cement floor of his barracks to practice seal-carving techniques. After he carved one seal, he polished the surface until it was smooth again and then carved another.
When he retired, he left behind a floor polished like a mirror.
In 1963, Chinese famous seal-carving artist Fang Jiekan (1901-1987) introduced some of Han’s seals to the renowned seal art association Xiling Society of Seal Arts for exhibition. It was Han’s first exhibition and received high praise from many seal-carving masters.
Tang Zuishi (1885-1969) predicted that in 20 years Han would become a master.
In the following years, Han learnt seal carving from many masters. Among them is painter Lu Yanshao (1909—1993), also a Jiading native, who told Han “you have your own style and that is valuable.”
Han said Lu was not conservative and encouraged innovation, which was rare among the older generation of artists. When Han declared that his seals should be surnamed Han, he was criticized by many older artists. But Lu said Han’s declaration was reasonable and an artist should have his own style.
Role models
Though fairly self-confident, Han was modest enough to learn from famous artists such as Li Keran (1907-1989), Liu Haisu (1896-1994), Huang Zhou (1925-1997), Cheng Shifa (1921-2007) and Zhu Qizhan (1892-1996).
All became role models for Han.
From the mid 1960s to the early 1970s, Han did multiple explorations in art technique reform.
His seal style started to have many echoes and followers.
Entering the 21st century, his achievements received full recognition from mainstream art schools. In 2001, he carved 20 seals for the APEC meeting. In 2008 he carved a “One World” seal for the Beijing Olympics.
In 2010, he carved a “Better City, Better Life” seal for the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Many more people began to copy his work but Han said copying was inappropriate in art and should not be done.
Han has more than 200 students at home and abroad and some have already become leading figures.
On art tradition and innovation, Han says following tradition too closely, such as copying without thinking, is not true art, but neither can fully breaking away from tradition generate real art.
Back to hometown
From an early age, Han started to collect calligraphy, paintings, seals and other cultural relics for reference and to learn from. Some of the items have been with him for 60 years.
When Han grew older, Han wanted to find a destination for his collection.
Han said he would not sell them, instead he would donate them. Eventually the Han Tianheng Art Gallery was built in Jiading District, Shanghai, his hometown.
At a ceremony in February, 2011, Han donated 1,136 art pieces to the district government.
On October 24, 2013, the gallery opened to public.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Han said: “Two scores years ago all five members of my family lived in a home of only 10 square meters, which left a deep impression in my memory so I think after 35 years of reform and opening-up, our country has become prosperous and strong with wealthy citizens.
“Without a prosperous and strong nation, we artists cannot have good days, so I feel gratitude to this age. I believe the best way to preserve these art works is to let them return to the society.”
Han planned to use this art gallery as a platform.
Along with the district government’s 20 million yuan (US$3.28 million) in awards, he set up the Han Tianheng Cultural Art Foundation to promote traditional Chinese art and culture through building art schools and art training for Jiading’s young people.
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