Sketch No. 04

This original work on paper examines movement, migration, and symbolic form through the recurring image of the horse.

The horse occupies an important place in Siyuan Tan’s visual vocabulary. Historically associated with travel, mobility, trade, and the movement of people across territories, it becomes a flexible metaphor through which the artist considers cultural exchange and displacement.

In Sketch No. 04, Tan approaches the horse through repetition. Heads, profiles, frontal views, and body structures are continually revised, allowing the animal to move between anatomical study and symbolic abstraction.

This process also reflects Tan’s broader practice across painting, sculpture, and ceramics. The emphasis on volume, proportion, and frontal structure suggests a way of thinking that extends beyond drawing alone, allowing the sketch to function as a preparatory space for possible three-dimensional or more developed compositions.

Rather than presenting the horse as a fixed emblem, Tan treats it as a form in transition—one capable of carrying multiple associations with migration, mobility, historical exchange, and cultural memory.

Sketch No. 04 focuses on the horse as both a visual subject and a recurring symbol within Siyuan Tan’s practice. Across the page, the artist studies the animal from multiple viewpoints, testing the proportions of the head, neck, torso, and frontal stance. Some forms are rendered with greater structural clarity, while others remain loose and exploratory, preserving the rhythm of observation and revision. Rather than functioning as a finished equestrian image, the work documents the process of constructing a symbolic form. The repeated horse heads and body studies suggest that Tan is not simply recording anatomy, but searching for a visual language capable of carrying broader cultural meaning. Within his practice, the horse often represents movement, migration, passage, and the transmission of identity across different places and histories. The unfinished lines, corrections, and repeated variations give the work a strong studio quality. As an original artist study, Sketch No. 04 offers direct access to the stage in which a familiar animal begins to evolve into a recurring symbolic figure within the artist’s larger body of work.

Discover more works by Siyuan Tan →

Each artwork is carefully prepared and securely packaged to help ensure safe delivery. Protective wrapping, reinforced corner protection, and sturdy outer packaging are used to safeguard the artwork throughout transit. Package Dimensions: 42 × 34 × 9 cm Package Weight: 0.7 kg If you require custom framing or professional mounting services, please contact us by email before placing your order or prior to shipment. As framing requirements, packaging specifications, destination, and shipping conditions may vary for each artwork, framing and shipping costs will be individually assessed and quoted on a per-artwork basis. Our team will recommend an appropriate packing and shipping solution based on the specific work to help ensure it arrives safely and ready for your space.

As an original work on paper, this artwork should be displayed and stored with particular attention to light, humidity, and surface protection. Keep the work away from direct sunlight and prolonged exposure to strong artificial light, as excessive UV exposure may gradually affect the paper and drawn surface. Display the artwork in a stable indoor environment away from excessive humidity, heat, and significant temperature fluctuations. Avoid placing it near radiators, fireplaces, air-conditioning vents, or damp areas. For long-term display, archival-quality framing materials and UV-protective glazing are recommended. Avoid direct contact between the artwork and non-archival materials. Do not touch the surface of the paper with bare hands. When handling is necessary, hold the work carefully by the edges with clean, dry hands or suitable protective gloves.