Guan Yun Zhai Art Restoration at Bras Basah Complex

Guan Yun Zhai Art Restoration

Red Doors with Chinese Calligraphy

A close-up of a traditional red door with ornate gold Chinese calligraphy on a black plaque above it. Two vertical black signs with gold Chinese characters are affixed to the pillars flanking the door. The left sign reads "故宫非遺傳承技藝與鑒定" (Palace Museum Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Skills and Appraisal). The right sign reads "古字畫裝裱修復工作室" (Ancient Calligraphy and Painting Mounting and Restoration Studio). The door has two lion-head knockers and a metal latch with a padlock. Decorative red window frames with lattice work are visible on either side.

Two men working with paper

Two men are working with a long roll of white paper on a red table. The man on the left is wearing a black polo shirt and a grey apron. He is using a small brush to smooth the paper. The man on the right is wearing a dark sweater and a white apron. He is also smoothing the paper. The background has a textured wall.

Old Documents

A stack of old, yellowed documents with handwritten text in what appears to be Chinese characters. Some pages are torn and show signs of age and damage. A pair of glasses is visible in the upper left corner.

Scrolls and Artwork

A close-up view of several scrolls and artworks leaning against a wall. One scroll is partially unrolled, revealing a white paper with a subtle patterned texture and a dark wooden roller at the bottom. To the right, a larger scroll or artwork displays bold black calligraphy and a red seal. In the background, other framed or rolled items are visible, suggesting a storage or display area for art or documents.

Chinese Calligraphy Banner

A red banner with large white Chinese calligraphy characters. The banner is torn and weathered, with visible grid lines underneath the paper. To the right of the large characters, there are smaller vertical Chinese characters. The banner is attached to a red surface.

Chinese Character Poster

A large, red poster with a cream-colored Chinese character painted on it. The character appears to be "福" (fú), meaning fortune or blessing. There is some wear and tear on the poster, with peeling paint and creases. The poster is laid out on a red surface, possibly a table, with some tools visible in the background.

Portrait of an Elder Man

A framed painting depicts an elder man in traditional attire, seated and facing forward. He wears a dark robe with ornate trim and a hat. The painting is on a light-colored background, and the paper appears to be creased and slightly torn in the upper section. The frame is wooden.

Ink Painting of a Horse

A traditional ink wash painting on a scroll depicts a dynamic black and white horse in motion. The horse is rendered with bold, expressive brushstrokes, capturing its powerful musculature and flowing mane and tail. Calligraphy in black ink is present on the right side of the painting, along with two red seals. The background is a textured, light-colored paper.

Scroll with Calligraphy

A scroll with calligraphy hangs on a wall. The scroll has a light blue and grey border at the top and bottom. The center of the scroll features black calligraphy on a white background, with some sections pixelated. The wall behind the scroll appears to be made of wood with white tape or paint markings.

Ink Painting of a Horse

A framed ink painting on aged paper depicts a dynamic black ink rendering of a horse in motion. The horse is shown with its head turned and mane flowing, suggesting speed and power. Calligraphy in black ink is present on the right side of the painting. The artwork is framed in black and is partially visible next to a potted plant with large green leaves in a blue and white patterned pot, and a textured cylindrical object.

Chinese Calligraphy and Painting

A scroll with traditional Chinese calligraphy and a painting of yellow flowers and rocks. The calligraphy is in black ink on a light-colored background, with red seals. The painting depicts a branch with yellow flowers and dark green leaves, along with some rocks. There are also two birds flying in the sky. The scroll is laid out on a red surface, with other rolled scrolls and papers visible in the background. A ruler is placed at the bottom of the scroll.

Traditional Artwork Under Protective Sheeting

A piece of traditional artwork, possibly a painting or tapestry, is laid out on a red surface and covered with protective translucent sheeting. The artwork depicts a figure in ornate robes, with intricate patterns and motifs, including what appears to be a dragon or serpent motif along the top border and a bird emblem on the figure's chest. The lower portion of the artwork is damaged and appears to be fragmented or worn. The protective sheeting creates a slightly blurred and checkered effect over the image.

Traditional Painting Display

A traditional East Asian scroll painting is displayed on a wall. The painting depicts a figure in a blue robe seated in a landscape with cranes and trees. The wall features a textured pattern and a blue-grey band. A red object is visible in the foreground.

Rolled Scrolls

A collection of rolled scrolls, likely for art or documents, are neatly arranged on a green cutting mat. Each scroll is tied with a light-colored ribbon and has a small brown label attached. The scrolls have wooden end caps, with one end cap being a darker wood.

Calligraphy Scroll

A vertical scroll with black calligraphy on a white background, set against a textured, off-white wall. The scroll has a decorative patterned border and wooden dowels at the top and bottom. The calligraphy appears to be in Chinese or Japanese characters.

Art Restoration Process

A close-up view of an artwork undergoing restoration. The surface is covered with protective tissue paper, some of which is peeling away, revealing areas of the underlying artwork. There are also fragments of torn paper and a small brush visible, suggesting an active restoration process. The background is a bright red surface.

Scroll with Calligraphy

A close-up, side view of a rolled-up scroll with a white paper section at the top featuring black calligraphy. The scroll is made of light-colored fabric with a subtle, repeating pattern. It has dark wooden end caps. The scroll is leaning against a textured, off-white wall.

iPhone Home Screen

A hand holds an iPhone displaying its home screen. The screen shows various app icons including Photos, Google Maps, Camera, Calculator, Gmail, Facebook, and WhatsApp. A calendar widget is also visible. The phone is in a black case with bear ears. A charging cable is plugged into the bottom of the phone.

Rolled Material

A close-up, eye-level shot focuses on the end of a rolled material, possibly wallpaper or fabric. The roll is light gray with a textured surface. The top edge reveals a white core with concentric circles and a blue band. The background is blurred, showing a wooden surface and a dark object on the left.

Calligraphy Workshop

A group of people are gathered around a table in what appears to be a workshop or studio. The table is covered with a red cloth and is laden with various tools and materials, including brushes, ink stones, paper, and scrolls. Some individuals are observing a demonstration or lesson, while others are taking photos. The walls are decorated with calligraphy scrolls.

Art Studio with Scrolls and Supplies

A studio space with traditional East Asian art supplies. Several large scrolls with calligraphy and paintings are displayed on the wall. A long red table is set up with rolls of paper, some textured, and a bamboo brush rest. A red bucket with water and a white bottle are also visible on the table.

Two men looking at a phone

Two men are sitting on a couch in a room. The man on the left is wearing a blue collared shirt and black pants, and is holding a smartphone. The man on the right is wearing a dark sweater and glasses, and is looking down at something in his hands. The wall behind them is decorated with several framed photographs and a painting of fish. There is also a wooden sculpture on a table to the left of the couch.

Rolled Scroll with Decorative Ends

A rolled scroll, likely made of paper or fabric, is tied with a cream-colored ribbon. The ends of the scroll are visible, revealing decorative circular patterns with intricate designs in black, gold, and red. The scroll rests on a glossy red surface.

Portrait of an Elder Man

A traditional portrait painting of an elder East Asian man seated on a throne. He has a long white beard and is wearing a dark robe with ornate trim and a hat. The background is a muted yellow, and the bottom of the painting features a decorative border with floral motifs. The painting appears to be mounted on a wall with peeling wallpaper or tape.

Calligraphy practice

Two men are practicing calligraphy in a room. The man on the left is wearing a black polo shirt and glasses, and is using a tool to smooth out a long strip of white paper. The man on the right is wearing a dark sweater and an apron, and is also working with the paper. There are large framed pieces of calligraphy on the wall behind them. The room has bright fluorescent lighting.

People observing a demonstration

A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered indoors, seemingly observing a demonstration or presentation. Some individuals are holding cameras and phones, suggesting they are documenting the event. On a red table in the foreground, there are art supplies, including brushes, a bowl of liquid, and what appears to be paper with calligraphy. The background shows walls with some artwork or displays, and a large fluorescent light fixture on the ceiling.

Calligraphy Book

A close-up view of an open book with calligraphy written in black ink on textured paper. The pages are bordered with a light blue decorative strip. The book is lying on a dark red surface. A watermark with Chinese characters and a number is visible in the bottom right corner.

Calligraphy Artwork

A large black ink calligraphy artwork on white paper. The main character appears to be a stylized representation of 'home' or 'family'. To the left of the main character, there is smaller text and a red seal. The artwork is placed on a wooden surface, possibly a table, and is held down by clear plastic clips.

Miniature Brooms

A collection of five small, dark-colored brooms, possibly made of horsehair or similar material, arranged on a red surface. One larger broom is at the top right, and four smaller ones are in a row below. A pair of tweezers is visible on the left side of the image.

Calligraphy Panels

Several large panels of traditional Chinese calligraphy are displayed on a wall. A green spray bottle sits on a reflective red surface in front of the panels. The wall behind the panels is textured and appears to be painted white with some peeling.

Peeling Paint Texture

A close-up, abstract view of peeling paint on a red surface. The paint is a textured, light gray with black speckles, revealing the red underneath in irregular patches and streaks. The texture suggests age and wear.

Calligraphy Workshop

A group of people are gathered around a table in what appears to be a calligraphy workshop. The table is set with various calligraphy tools, including brushes, ink stones, paper, and ink. Some individuals are observing, while others seem to be participating in the activity. The room has fluorescent lighting and air conditioning units visible on the ceiling and wall. There are also some scrolls and artwork displayed on the wall.

People observing a demonstration

A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered around a table, observing a demonstration. The room appears to be an art studio or workshop, with artwork and supplies visible in the background. The people are wearing lanyards, suggesting they might be on a tour or attending a class.

Calligraphy Scroll

A hanging scroll featuring ancient Chinese calligraphy on a black stone-like background, with decorative blue fabric at the top and bottom. To the right, a red scroll with black calligraphy is visible. The background appears to be a wall with textured wallpaper.

Book Cover

A book with a decorative cover featuring a repeating pattern of stylized motifs in beige, orange, black, and white. A vertical strip on the left side of the cover has Chinese characters printed on it. The book is lying on a red surface.

Framing Supplies

A storage area filled with various framing materials. Tall stacks of picture frames, some wrapped in protective plastic, line the walls. In the foreground, large flat panels, possibly canvas or mat boards, are stacked. Several smaller framed items are also visible.

Handwritten Document

A close-up, overhead shot of an open, aged, handwritten document. The document is made of light-colored paper and is filled with black ink calligraphy. The pages are slightly creased and worn, suggesting age. The text is arranged in vertical columns. The document is placed on a dark red surface.

Presentation on Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Mounting Styles

A man is giving a presentation to an audience in a room with a stage. A projector screen displays text in Chinese, listing different mounting styles for Chinese calligraphy and paintings. The stage has red curtains, a gong, and floral arrangements.

Restoration of an ancient scroll painting

Hands are carefully working on a damaged scroll painting. The painting depicts a figure in traditional attire, seated on a throne, with intricate patterns and mythical creatures adorning the borders. The scroll appears to be made of aged paper or silk, with significant portions torn and peeling. Wooden tools are being used to assist in the delicate restoration process. A roll of white paper is positioned at the bottom, likely for protection or further work.

Calligraphy on Aged Paper

A close-up view of traditional East Asian calligraphy written in bold black ink on aged, textured paper. The paper shows signs of wear, with torn edges and small holes, suggesting it is an antique document or artwork. The characters are large and stylized, typical of brush calligraphy.

Workshop on Traditional Crafts

A group of people are gathered around a table in what appears to be a workshop or classroom setting. A man in the foreground is holding a tool and speaking, possibly instructing the others. The table is covered with various materials and tools, including brushes, paper, and what look like crafting supplies. Several people are observing the demonstration, with some holding up phones to take pictures or videos. The room has an air conditioner unit and overhead lighting.