Born in Fujian, China, Shi Xiangtuo (1906-1990) came from an eminent family of seal carvers and calligraphers, Trained by his father, he is best known for his calligraphy and seal work. In addition, Shi was an accomplished ink painter who counted the Shanghai School and, in particular, Wu Changshuo’s paintings as major influences. He emigrated to Singapore in 1938 and contributed immensely in the area of art education: first as a principal at a primary school and later as a lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. In 1979, Shi was awarded the Public Service Star by the Singapore government.The couplet expresses Shi’s thoughts about poets and poetry. To him, the most elegant poems were by Han Yu and Liu Zong Yuan while the best essays describing wine were by Ou Yang Xiu and Mei Rao Chen.
