For immediate release, 24th January 2014
Singapore’s Pioneering Chinese Literati Painting
and Calligraphy Exhibition
Singapore, 24th January 2014: As part of artcommune gallery’s commitment to promote and
increase public awareness for local art history, we are pleased to present Singapore’s
Pioneering Chinese Literati Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition from 22nd February to 2nd
March 2014.
Singapore was an immigrant society in her early days and the overwhelming influx of Chinese
migrants was due to a mixture of push and pull factors. Among the many hopefuls who
travelled south was a group of well-educated mainland Chinese. Unlike their other home folks
who took on manual jobs like laborers and trishaw riders, this group of people took on
influential roles mainly in the education and media arenas as educators and news reporters.
Over time, many of them slowly began to bond with fellow Chinese who in general spoke the
same language and dialect as them, had similar hobbies and interests, and most importantly,
shared similar careers and aspirations.
Interestingly, many of them were avid calligraphers or painters having practiced the art from a
young age, hence naturally a handful of them turned towards teaching art in schools, notably
Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng and Fang Chang Tien. While they imparted their knowledge
and wisdom to the younger generation, they continued to develop their own brushworks and
constantly met up with fellow Chinese artists to exchange artistic views. This can be further
illustrated with the painting, Horse, by Zhang Dang Nong, where he painted the horse and
fellow artists Goh Teck Sian and Wang Jai Ling further enhanced his painting with their fluid
calligraphy.
Together as a closely-knitted elite community, they explored art in a carefree and relaxed
environment. This kind of community spirit and bonding proved to be of essential importance
for each individual artist where the positive impact from such exchanges eventually led to their
own breakthroughs in styles and forms.
Audience will now have the opportunity to appreciate up close 20 over beautiful and exuberant
brushworks of more than 10 brilliant artists of their time. Many pieces are rare works by great
masters such as Ng Here Deog, Cheng Xiao Hao, Chan Shou She, Pan Shuo and Cui Da Di,
collected over a long period of time.
Through this exhibition, artcommune gallery seeks to journey with you down memory lane and
gained a deeper appreciation for our art pioneers.
Exhibition duration: 22nd February to 2nd March 2014
Venue: artcommune gallery
Blk 231, Bain Street, #02-43 Bras Basah Complex S180231
Tel: +65 63364240
Opening hours: 12 to 7 pm daily
Free Admission
For media enquiries or high-resolution image requests, please contact:
Mr Ho Sou Ping
Founder of artcommune gallery
Tel: +65 63364240 HP: 97479046
Email: [email protected]
Ms Ma Pei Yi
Gallery Curator
Tel: +65 63364240 Hp: 98630857
Email: [email protected]
www.artcommune.com.sg
Images of art works that will be showcased in the exhibition:
Zhang Dang Nong, Horse, Circa. 1941, Chinese ink on paper, 65 x 109 cm
Huang Man Shi, Calligraphy, 1959, Chinese ink on paper, 91 x 41 cm
Fang Chang Tien, Bamboo, Undated, Chinese ink on paper, 98 x 33 cm
Zhang Shou Shi, Calligraphy, Undated, Chinese ink on paper, 130 x 32 cm
Yan Lu, Calligraphy Couplet, Undated, Chinese ink on paper, 100.5 x 30.5 cm