“One River, Unique Waters” is a group exhibition featuring 20 exquisite works by Singapore’s pioneer artist Chen Wen Hsi and four of his students – Chen Cheng Mei, Chia Yu Chian, Earl Lu Ming Teh, and Goh Beng Kwan.
Like how locations along a river feature distinct waters, artists who share the same mentor may develop unique styles that differentiate them from one another and their teacher. Chen Wen Hsi stands tall as a titan of the Nanyang art world but his students do not live in his shadow; they are accomplished artists in their own right. Chen Cheng Mei, Chia Yu Chian, Earl Lu Ming Teh, and Goh Beng Kwan are some students that have built on the achievements of Chen Wen Hsi and developed a style of their own. While there are hints of Chen’s influence in his students’ creative process, each artist can be proud of his or her special artistic identity.
For this exhibition, Dr. Chen Wen Hsi is represented by five works depicting a variety of life forms, such as squirrels, sparrows, hens (image on right), frogs, lotuses, trees, and bamboo. These paintings, executed in the 1970s and 1980s, are fine examples of Chen’s mastery of imaginary white space and the Xie Yi style of Chinese ink painting, of Chen’s trademark expressive brushwork, as well as of his grasp of the form and movement of various plants and animals. Chen’s artistic language has influenced many younger artists, including his students.
Venue: Confluence Art Space, 2 Havelock Road, #02-29 Havelock 2, Singapore 059763
When: 4 - 26 Jun 2022,
