Han Sai Por

Han Sai Por

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Breathing Life into Stone

Han Sai Por (b. 19 July 1943, Singapore) is a sculptor renowned for transforming raw granite into organic, evocative forms. Her mastery of stone carving has earned her international recognition, with exhibitions spanning Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, North America, and Europe. In Singapore, her sculptures grace public spaces such as hotels, libraries, and MRT stations, while her works have also found permanent homes in parks across Malaysia, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Honored with the Cultural Medallion in 1995, Han remains a defining figure in contemporary sculpture.

A Childhood Shaped by Nature and Resilience

Born during the Japanese Occupation, Han was raised in humble circumstances, growing up in a makeshift home of cardboard and coconut leaves in Changi. Despite these hardships, she found joy in the outdoors, sculpting animals from sand at the nearby beach. Her connection to nature became a wellspring of inspiration, shaping the organic forms that define her later works. At ten, a book on Michelangelo’s sculptures introduced her to the expressive power of stone, planting the seed for a lifelong artistic journey.

The Road to Becoming an Artist

Han’s artistic aspirations were initially sidelined by financial realities. After graduating from the Teachers’ Training College in 1968, she worked as a full-time teacher while taking evening classes at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Determined to deepen her craft, she saved up and moved to the United Kingdom in 1979, studying at East Ham College of Art before earning a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Wolverhampton College of Art. To support herself, she took on jobs as a waitress, hotel maid, and cook—grit and perseverance that would later define her approach to sculpture.

Returning to Singapore in 1983, Han helped launch the Arts Elective Programme at Nanyang Girls’ High School. By 1987, she transitioned to part-time teaching at NAFA and LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts, balancing her responsibilities as an educator and artist.

Shaping Stone, Shaping Spaces

Han’s sculptures are found in some of Singapore’s most prominent landmarks, from the Esplanade and Suntec City to Capital Towers and Woodlands Regional Library. Internationally, her works have left their mark in the Portland Sculpture Park (UK), Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden (Malaysia), and Uchinomi-cho Town Hall Garden (Japan). Each piece reflects her fascination with contrast—the interplay of strength and softness, permanence and fluidity.

The Artist and Her Medium

For Han, stone is more than just a material—it is a vessel for emotion and expression. She sources marble and granite from quarries across Singapore, Malaysia, China, Italy, and Japan, often investing tens of thousands of dollars into her solo exhibitions. Yet, for Han, artistic fulfillment outweighs financial concerns. What truly matters is how her sculptures connect with the audience.

Her works embody a poetic tension: the unyielding nature of granite is softened by her touch, shaped into flowing, organic forms. Despite her petite stature, Han carves massive stone blocks with a strength and precision that defy expectations. Her sculptures are not merely static objects but breathing, emotional landscapes.

A Life Carved with Purpose

From her early days in Seletar Airbase to her current home in Wessex Estate, Han has lived by a philosophy of simplicity and dedication. Hard work, an unshakable love for her craft, and an unwavering belief in the power of art define her life as much as her sculptures do.

Words from the Artist

“A sculpture is not a cold piece of stone, clay or metal. It has a life of its own. It’s the sculptor’s way of expression and it’s his companion.” — Singapore Artists Speak (1998)

“All my discoveries will go into my art.” — Living Stones (The Straits Times, 2002)