Tan Guan Fan (Mr)

Proposed Thesis Title: Bonding with Buddha: Art, Religion, and Diplomacy through Famen Temple’s Exhibitions|
Advisor: Assistant Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia

Tan Guan Fan is a recent NUS History (B.A. Honors with Highest Distinction) graduate, with minors in Art History and Southeast Asian Studies. Passionate about diasporas, religions, art history, and material culture, he loves interacting with individuals from all walks of life to learn about customs, cultures, and communities.

Growing up in a Teochew family and receiving art education at his alma mater, Guan Fan has developed a sustained interest in Chinese arts and culture. With continuous support and timely guidance from his family, teachers, and professors here at NUS History department, Guan Fan has published his research paper regarding the arts of Yueh Hai Ching Temple on Berita in 2022 and presented his completed Honors Thesis on Venerable Chuk Mor’s paintings in the Chinese diaspora at two academic panels in 2023. Later, his thesis won both the Wong Lin Ken Memorial Medal and Prize for the best Academic Exercise in History, and the Temenggong Prize for the best Honors thesis in Art History.

In his upcoming M.A. thesis, Guan Fan is researching on Famen Temple’s exhibitions of Buddhist artefacts, particularly their facilitation in promoting Buddhist diplomacy between China and Asian polities. Through this inquiry, he hopes to contribute to scholarship on international relations, Buddhist studies, museum studies, and art history.

At his leisure, Guan Fan volunteers, paints, and photographs strange, unique things.