A late, renowned Chinese ink painter will be the focus of an upcoming show at a Singaporean gallery. The artist is best known for fusing the styles of Chinese ink painting with Western themes. One of his most famous paintings is included on Singaporean currency — gibbons. He is also known as one of the founders of the distinctive Nanyang painters group. This group is considered one of the pioneers of modern Singaporean art, meaning that visitors to the show should expect to see an important slice of history.
The show also has the distinction of highlighting pieces from the artist that have not been seen for thirty years, since a previous show in China. This ink painter shows his love for nature and all things outdoors in his paintings, which come in a variety of mediums, including paper and canvas.
One of the artworks that will be on display at the show include a trio of pink-colored, long-necked birds. They preen as they stand among minimalistic reeds, pointing at various sights with their long, black, sharp beaks. The artist used a dry brush technique to loosely interpret the fluffy texture of feathers, making for an interesting and understated take on the birds.
In another painting, a pair of songbirds perch on a twig, looking as if they either just landed or are about to take off. The shakiness of the lines reflect the movement inherent in such a scene. Perhaps it is the twig itself that is swaying in the wind, putting the birds in a shaky situation. The focal point of the paper work, however, is a cluster of bright coral-colored flowers. They stand out especially since the paper used is a light brown.
No bird is too lowly for this artist, as another paper piece shows. A pair of chickens stare up at the viewer from the ground, paused in their pecking, perhaps, to see if any grain will be scattered in front of them. A mess of lines covering a portion of the paper reflect the crushed grass of a barnyard, or perhaps the long scratches of the chicken’s claws as they search for insects to eat. The framing of this particular work is one of the most interesting aspects of it, as it allows for a lot of negative space for the viewer to contemplate.
In two very modern, abstract works, the artist departs from the traditional and familiar. A mountainside is all but unrecognizable, rendered in broad, dark strokes that take up almost the entire frame. Another piece, purporting to depict herons, is instead a riot of color more reminiscent of cubism.
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To read more about the collection and see a sneak peek slideshow of some of the paintings that will be on display at the exhibit, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/2628118/the-art-of-chen-wen-hsi-of-element-art-space-singapore.