Chen Wen Hsi (1948 ¨C 1992) was born in China, Guangdong Province in 1906. In 1948, he migrated to Singapore and passed away in 1992.
Chen Wen Hsi loved fine arts, and he grew up in the urban. With such unburdened childhood life which enable him to have more opportunities to explore and pursue many interesting and beautiful things, and it breeds his devotion of drawing.

After graduated from the secondary school, despite of his uncle¡¯s objection, he decided to study full time in fine art at Shanghai Fine Arts Academy where he then transferred to Xin Hwa Arts Academy. He was taught by famous lecturers such as Pan Tian Shou in Xin Hwa Arts Academy. After four years¡¯ studies, he graduated and went back to his hometown to get married. Then he go to Shan Tou Secondary School teach fine arts, and also organize Chun Yang Painting Society, teaching those young people whom was love to draw.

Chen Wen Hsi unfolds his artistic talent even when he was young and his paintings were exhibited in Shantou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 1937, he received the recognition and praise from Xu Beihong in China during the second Chinese National art exhibition in Nanjing. At the same year, the English arts studio magazine elected him as one of the contemporary China ten greatest artists.

In 1948, Chen Wen Hsi set off to Nanyang because of the thrilling by the successful which the people hold the art exhibitions in Nanyang, where he plans to stay in not more than 3 months but then he settled down beyond his expectation. He taught in Hwa Qiao Seconday School and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He travelled to various places in Southeast Asia to collect the drawing materials during the vacation. He was inspired by Bali and Java's people and customs.

As for drawing, it can say that he is a very disciplined artist. Over several ten years, he wake up at 6 am every day and draws painting. Especially the school vacation, it is the best opportunity to let him concentrate on drawing. If it has the evening banquet treats, he also often leaves early and go home to draw painting. Industriously studies independently, make his drawing skill unceasingly to renew and improve.

As early as in the many years ago, Chen Wen Hsi established his foundation in the international artistic world by his unique combination east-west school. The egret and monkeys can represent as his excellent works in his many works. For drawing the picture of apes and monkeys, he raise six apes and monkeys in his garden, draw its shape from the day and night. Until afterwards, he can tell the place of production of the apes and monkeys from its jump, run, movement and so on. Even he wants to draw fish and bird, he also observe day and night before drawing. From such instances, we can know he is draw with earnestly. In 1968, he retired from Singapore education circles and pay his whole attention engage in his drawing, he has conduct over 30 exhibitions in places such as Chinese, Taiwan, Malaysian, Japanese, Australian state, New Zealand, Hong Kong.

In 1975, in order to praise his contribution to the fine arts, Singapore University special issue him an ¡®honorary doctor¡¯ award. He is the first local artist to obtains this honor. In addition, he obtains the public service medal which was issued by Singapore Yusolf President in 1964, the golden chapter issued by Taiwan History Museum in 1980, then ASEAN culture and dissemination prize in 1987.

One-Man Exhibitions

International Exhibitions

Awards

Private and Public Collections

- The National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The University of Singapore, Singapore
- Nanyang University, Singapore
- The Sarawak Museum, Malaysia
- National Museum of Singapore
- Cologne Museum, West Germany
- Oxford Museum, England
- Sir Malcolm Macdonald, former British High Commissioner in S.E.Asia
- Sir John Nicoll, K.C.M.G. former Governor of Singapore
- His Majesty, Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand
- Sir Rt. Hon. Harold Wilson, Prime Minister of Great Britain
- Mr. Ohira, Prime Minister of Japan
- Mr Chun Doo Hwan, President of Republic of Korea
- Dr Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of United Nation.

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