Artist name: Pan Shou

Medium: Chinese brush on paper

Year: 1995

Dimensions: 69 x 131 (cm)

Framed: No

This item is kindly donated to NKF by a donor.

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Artist profile:

Singapore's pre-eminent Chinese classical poet and calligrapher, was born in Fujian, China in 1911. His calligraphic style is so unique that some have suggested he created his own ‘Pan style’. When he arrived in Singapore at the age of 19, Pan Shou had already received rigorous training in both the Chinese classics and the brush. Over the years, he became a prolific artist as well as, an avid observer and critic of contemporary culture and society.

Throughout his life, Pan Shou studied and practised the archaic scripts of the Qin, Han and Wei dynasties. His unique, personal style evolved from his mastery of the ancient scripts, making him the most celebrated calligrapher in Singapore. Pan Shou often infused his calligraphic works with poetry. His poems would flow effortlessly through his brush onto rice paper, adding a further touch of originality to his works. 

Pan Shou's calligraphic works can be found in prominent places in both Singapore. His works are also on permanent display in China in such places as the Confucius Temple in Qu Fu, in the Forest of Steles in Sian, on the honorific arch marking the beginning of the ancient Silk Road by the Sea in Quan Zhou, on Huang He Lou in Wuhan and in the museum of the Great Wall of China. Rubbings of his inscription in xingshu style mark the archway to his native hometown in Quanzhou.