Arts in Irvine is pleased to present Tseng-Yao Terry Sun: The Charm of Chinese Leisure Seals, on view September 10–24 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center. An opening reception will be held Thursday, September 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., inviting the community to experience the artistry and cultural depth of Chinese leisure seals reimagined through Sun’s work.

Seal carving is a centuries-old art form in East Asian cultures, where seals served as both functional identifiers and artistic expressions. Among them, leisure seals — engraved with poetry or passages from classical texts — offered layers of beauty and meaning, enriching artworks or standing alone as objects of contemplation.

In the 1980s, Tseng-Yao Terry Sun transformed this intimate tradition into a modern visual experience by enlarging seal designs and carving them into wood. His bold woodcuts, paired with his own calligraphy, illuminate the poetry, symbolism, and elegance of leisure seals, making the art form accessible to a wide audience.

Sun’s work has been exhibited at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum at Harvard University, the Gallery of Palos Verdes Library, the East Asian Library at the University of Southern California, and the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.

Tseng-Yao Terry Sun: The Charm of Chinese Leisure Seals is free and open to the public. For more information, visit artsinirvine.org/exhibitions.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday. The opening reception, exhibition, and parking are free. The Irvine Fine Arts Center is located in Heritage Community Park at 14321 Yale Ave. For more information, visit artsinirvine.org or call 949-724-6880.