博
Artist: Zhao Puchu
Date: Modern
Material: Ink on paper
As a renowned writer, educator, publisher, and social activist, Mr. Ye Shengtao wore many hats. These included Vice Chair, Chair, and Honorary Chair of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, as well as Vice Chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Zhao Puchu composed this poem at the age of seventy-six in celebration of Mr. Ye Shengtao's seventy-year career in education. It sincerely praises Mr. Ye, from whom the poet learned, for 'having worked hard in education for seventy years and achieving much'. Zhao also wrote, 'When I was young, I read your books. When I was old, I took the word "Stone Chips" from your book to name my own, which was actually a gift from you'. Zhao Puchu further extolled Ye Shengtao, noting that 'he was now eighty-eight years old with frost-white eyebrows and moustache, yet still looked vigorous, his words like thunder pointing out the ills of the times'. Finally, Zhao wished him 'a long life and good health'. Zhao's brushwork was imbued with intense reverence for this elderly gentleman.
