Chen Wen Hsi

Chen Wen Hsi (Dr) (b. 1906, Baigong Village, Guangdong, China - d. 1992) is noted for his works in Chinese ink and for influencing the early Chinese artists in Singapore as an art educationist.

Chen enrolled in the Shanghai College of Art in 1928 but transferred to Xinhua College of Art with half his classmates a year later because they were unhappy with the Shanghai College. It was at Xinhua that he became acquainted with Chen Jen Hao, Chen Chong Swee and Liu Kang - all of whom were to become pioneer artists and art educationists of Singapore. After lecturing in the South China College, Shantou, China between 1946 to 1947, Wen Hsi settled in Singapore in 1948 and taught in the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts between 1951 to 1959 and later became an art teacher of Singapore Chinese High School.

He held 38 one-man exhibitions between 1923 to 1993, in both local and international locations including Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, London and Beijing.

Awards
1964 : Public Service Star.
1980 : Gold Medal, National Museum History.
1987 : Asean Cultural and Communication Award.



Author
Michael Mukunthan 



References
A Dialogue with tradition: Chen Wen Hsi's art of the '80s: In commemoration of pioneer artist Chen Wen Hsi's investiture. (1992). Singapore: The Museum.
(Call no.: RSING 759.95957 DIA)

A bird in hand. (1984, September 7). Asiaweek, 51.

Chen Wen Hsi [and] Georgette Chen [Videotape]. (1987). Singapore: Ministry of Community Development.
(Call no.: R AV 759.95957 CHE)


Further Readings
Chen, W.-H. (1963). [The art of] Chen Wen-Hsi. Singapore: Straits Commercial Art.
(Call no.: RCLOS 759.9595 CHE)

Chen, W.-H. (1976). Chen Wen-Hsi: Paintings. Singapore: Old & New Gallery
(Call no.: RCLOS 759.95957 CHE)

Chen, W.-H. (1982). Chen Wen Hsi retrospective 1982. Singapore: Ministry of Culture and National Museum.
(Call no: RCLOS 759.95957 CHE)

Hundreds pay last respects to Chen Wei Hsi. (1991, December 22). The Straits Time, p. 19.

Top N-Day award for artist Chen Wei Hsi. (1992, August 9). The Straits Times, p. 3. 



The information in this article is valid as at 1998 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Artists
Painters--Singapore
Artists--Singapore
Singapore--History
Arts>>Painting

Librarian Recommendations
>> Liu Kang


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