The late calligrapher Terry Sun’s seal and calligraphy exhibition opened on September 11 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, drawing nearly 200 community members in a lively celebration.
At the entrance, a black-and-white wedding photo from 66 years ago—of Sun and Professor Teresa Sun—greeted guests with a warm “Welcome,” setting the tone for an exhibition filled with love and culture.
Ten Years of Carving · A Lifetime of Ink
The opening night drew a packed crowd.
Among the guests were Professor Emeritus San Pao Li; Dr. and Mrs. Nelson Mar; Mitzi Fu, the founding principal of Irvine Chinese School; Irvine Book Club President Rose Cheung; South Coast Chinese Cultural Center CEO Yulan Chung, and others.
The evening reflected the community’s strong cultural bonds.
At 91, Professor Teresa Sun stepped forward to share her late husband’s creative journey.
Over ten years, Terry Sun collected impressions of seals from renowned scholars, enlarged every character, carved them into wood, and transcribed them in Yan-style calligraphy—completing 135 works.
She said her hope was for this exhibition to let audiences of all backgrounds appreciate the beauty of classical poetry, seal carving, and calligraphy, and to carry these traditions forward.
Her words brought thunderous applause and teary eyes, a moving testament not only to art, but also to love and perseverance.
Seal as Art · Culture Preserved
Professor Sun explained that leisure seals—poetic inscriptions carved into seals and stamped onto paintings—add elegance to brush and ink, becoming symbols of cultural and artistic fusion.
She noted that her husband sought to magnify this legacy by pairing woodcuts with calligraphy, making the depth and vitality of Chinese culture visible to more people.
She expressed gratitude to Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu, who helped secure city support for the exhibition, and to the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, which had also showcased her husband’s works two years earlier.
Art That Stuns · Praise That Lasts
Inside the gallery, rows of works lined the walls, where the rhythm of ink met the texture of wood, solemn yet alive. Visitors paused to take in the details—whispering the carved verses, tracing the strokes with their eyes.
Many remarked, “These works are not only a feast for the eyes, but a dialogue with the spirit of the past.” Each piece exuded the elegance of scholarship, like windows opening onto a flowing landscape of poetry and history.
Honour Bestowed · Applause Renewed
The reception gathered not only art lovers but also many families with children.
When Councilmember Melinda Liu sent her aide to present a certificate of recognition honouring Professor Teresa Sun for her lifelong efforts in promoting Chinese culture and fostering cross-cultural understanding, the hall once again filled with heartfelt applause.
Sweet Gifts · Shared Delight
The opening reception was sponsored by Chase Bank and Francium Chocolate, offering elegant gifts, fine pastries, and rich chocolates.
The sweet touch added to the cultural feast, as guests and hosts alike enjoyed a joyful evening together.
Irvine Fine Arts Center :
Exhibition Dates: September 10–24
Address: 14321 Yale Ave, Irvine, CA 92604
Profile ：
Terry Sun (1929–2023)
A calligrapher and seal carving artist, Dr.Sun reimagined traditional leisure seals by enlarging them into woodcuts paired with calligraphy.
After retiring from a career in engineering in 1993, he devoted himself to the art works.
His art works have been exhibited at Harvard, USC, the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, and the Palos Verdes Art Center, sharing the depth and humanistic spirit of Chinese culture with wider audiences.