Sketch No. 06

This original work on paper explores movement, anatomy, and embodied transition through repeated studies of the horse.

Siyuan Tan approaches the animal not as a static symbol, but as a body continuously responding to gravity, direction, and space. The repeated lowered heads and shifting poses emphasize the relationship between structure and movement, turning the page into a study of balance, rhythm, and physical tension.

This attention to bodily motion connects naturally to Tan’s wider interest in migration and cultural exchange. Before movement can operate as a metaphor for crossing borders or changing identities, it exists as a physical action—the body leaning, turning, advancing, and adapting.

The horse therefore becomes both subject and conceptual vehicle. Its changing posture reflects a broader condition of transition, where identity and position are never entirely fixed.

Through these studies, Tan develops a visual vocabulary in which anatomy, movement, and symbolic meaning gradually converge.

Sketch No. 06 records Siyuan Tan’s close study of the horse through posture, gesture, and bodily movement. Across the sheet, the horse appears repeatedly in different positions: lowering its head, bending through the neck, shifting its weight, and turning through space. Rather than concentrating on a single finished image, Tan uses repetition to understand how the animal’s structure changes through movement. The loose lines and overlapping corrections preserve the immediacy of observation. Curves through the back, neck, and legs become as important as anatomical detail, allowing each study to capture a different physical rhythm. Within Tan’s broader practice, the horse often carries associations with migration, mobility, and passage. In this sketch, however, that symbolic meaning begins with the body itself. Movement is developed first as a physical condition before becoming a metaphor for cultural and geographical transition. As an original artist study, Sketch No. 06 reveals the process through which Tan transforms observation into visual language, using gesture and anatomy as the foundation for more complex symbolic narratives.

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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.