family.
My family has a tradition of collecting art and ancient books, and the women of the family have long been skilled in handicrafts, performing arts, and other artistic pursuits. Qi Baishi, one of China's most famous artists, worked as a woodcarver in the Tan household for over ten years. During this time, he borrowed and copied works from the Tan family collection, such as the "Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden."
The image from the family letters of Tan Yankai.
inspiration.
My great-grandfather, Tan Yankai (courtesy name Zuan), was the second Chairman of the Republic of China government, a calligrapher and an artist. His calligraphy breathes with a quiet intensity, each stroke grounded in the weight and grace of the Yan-style yet lifted by his singular touch. Inspired by the revered Tang master Yan Zhenqing, his characters possess a powerful rhythm, where structure and flow converge into forms both resolute and refined. His ink seems to pulse with life, a source of inspiration in my own artistic expressions, capturing a delicate balance between strength and elegance. His most iconic inscription, gracing the pavilion at Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, stands as a testament to a hand that not only mastered tradition but transcended it, leaving an indelible mark on the art of calligraphy.
The image from the family letters of Tan Yankai.
precepts.
My family has a long history of scholarly achievements but without the arrogance that often accompanies such accomplishments. Though born into privilege, we refrain from indulgence and extravagance. We are cultured without looking down on others, possessing the noble aspirations to serve the world without engaging in the vices of the wealthy. We have the ambition to contribute to society, yet without adopting the rigid and forceful methods.
The image from the family letters of Tan Yankai.
