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Han Tianheng was born in 1940 in Shanghai, China. His family came from Suzhou, in Jiangsu Province. His family fell destitute after the Japanese bombed the ivory factory and warehouse owned by his father. The entire family was reduced to sharing one thin congee for a meal.
Han Tianheng’s father, despite his poverty, loved art and believed that education could change one’s destiny, even in turbulent years. Han and his siblings were taught to read and write at an early age.
When Han was drafted to the army on his half-day off every two weeks he visited a seal-carving master who lived more than two hours away by bus on unpaved roads. His mentor was a busy man and sometimes only had a few minutes to spare to comment on Han’s most recent works. During his years at the naval base, he studied and carved more than 3,000 seals.
Han Tianheng says he has read almost all available books on seal patterns, including more than 700 in the Shanghai Library and more than 500 in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province.
Han Tianheng was mentored by such art masters as Fang Jiekan, Fang Quji, Ma Gongyu, Lu Weizhao, Xie Zhiliu, and Lu Yanshao.
Han Tianheng started working in a textile factory at the age of 16, not long before the Great Leap Forward policy began, promising to transform China into an industrial giant. He was forced to work 14 hours a day, seven days a week, earning 60 yuan a month. He gave one-third of his wages to his parents and a third to his brother, who was studying at university. There was literally no time or energy left to practice seal engraving or to pursue personal dreams.
Han eventually quit his job and was drafted into the armed services, where his pay dropped to 6 yuan a month but he actually enjoyed more spare time. He was sent to a naval base near the city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province for four and a half years.
After his first exhibition in 1963, Han Tianheng started to gain a name for himself. Three years later, the “cultural revolution” (1966-1976) began, forcing him to pursue art in secret.
China’s economic reform policies, begun in 1978, opened the door once again to acceptance of traditional culture and art. Han was able to sell his seals and make money. He spent most of the money on acquiring more stones and antiques.
Han Tianheng has frequently been associated with Macao’s art, culture and press circles since the 1980s and has established a close friendship with many senior figures of the local art and cultural sectors such as Chui Tak Kei, Lam Kan, U Kuan Wai, and Lei Pang Chu, contributing significantly to artistic exchange between Shanghai and Macao.
Han Tianheng has held several solo calligraphy, painting, and seal carving exhibitions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macaw, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Germany. His works are collected by the British Museum and by other museums and galleries both at home and abroad.
Han Tianheng has published over 80 works. His Chinese Seal Carving Art has been translated into Japanese and reprinted many times. In 2001 he was appointed to create name seals for the leaders from twenty countries and regions attending the APEC meeting, which the then-President Jiang Zemin presented to the leaders as the national gifts.
Han Tianheng holds the office of President of Academy of Chinese Seal Engraving Art affiliated to China Academy of Art, Consultant of Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy (former vice-director), National First-Class Artist, Deputy Director of Seal Carving Art Council affiliated to Chinese Calligraphers Association, Chief Advisor of Shanghai Calligraphers Association, Vice President of Xiling Society of Seal Arts, President of Shanghai Wu Changshuo Art Research Association, Curator of Shanghai Wu Changshuo Memorial Museum, Curator of China Stone Museum, Professor of Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor of Shanghai Jiaotong University and Wenzhou Normal University. The State Council awarded him a special allowance for experts with outstanding contributions.
Han Tianheng is a prestigious master and scholar in contemporary painting and seal engraving and has achieved remarkable success in the artistic field for his creativity and impact. Hailed for his innovative spirit and inspiring creation that inherits and transcends tradition, his accomplishments in seal engraving are especially prominent, his works being collected by museums and galleries in China and aboard, including the British Museum.
In 2010 Han Tianheng was ranked as one of the “Top 10 Calligraphers in China of 2009” by professional media; and according to the survey held by 571 professional organizations at home and abroad at the 35th anniversary of Calligraphy Studies magazine, he was appraised as “the most respected seal engraver” and “the most outstanding seal engraver over the last 35 years.”
At the time of the Cultural Revolution artists came under severe public censure. Han Tianheng managed to keep in touch with many fellow artists, which landed his name on an official watch list. He also tried to buy as many condemned artworks as he could before they were burned.
Han Tianheng is strongly conserved about preserving the examples of traditional Chinese art.
Quotations:
"There is no end to an artist’s journey, and I hope to explore and further improve my artistic vision and works."
"I was never a wealthy collector. I collected so that I could take a closer look and learn from great ancient artists. China’s policies of economic reforms made my dreams possible and allowed me to earn an income to build up my collection. So I have always wanted to give something back to society."
"Many artists rise to stardom through marketing and packaging ploys rather than on the quality of their work. It shows a lack of respect for traditional art and culture. But I think all these superficial artists and artworks will fade away in time, leaving only those truly committed to art."
There is no information on Han Tianheng ever being married or having any children.
