Father-son duo unite for first art exhibition
KUALA LUMPUR: World-renowned Chinese painting master Prof Dr Cheng Haw Chien is holding his first art exhibition with his son, running throughout August.
Themed 'Different Generation, Same Artistic Path', the father-and-son showcase features 50 works inspired by scenic landscapes from their travels in China.
Prof Cheng, who is also an accomplished calligrapher, poet, author and educator, said his pieces are created using splashed ink on Japanese hot stamping gold foil.
'Most of my paintings are landscapes, painted with my son Jordant Chang Sao Suo.
'Splashed ink means freehand painting, which is different from classical Chinese painting,' he said at the exhibition launch here yesterday.
In the exhibition, Penang-born Prof Cheng presents serene landscapes while Chang explores the symbolic beauty of Taihu stones.
Chang said he was excited about the joint exhibition as the pair discussed the idea for years.
'We talked about this many years ago but couldn't set a date,' said the 41-year-old, who left his job as an industrial designer to follow in his father's footsteps.
He also said the paintings were inspired by his visits with his father to China over the years.
Highlights at the show include After Rain and Shrouded in Mist, both featuring intricate Chinese painting techniques.
Born in 1948, Cheng studied the Lingnan style, which blends Western influences with Chinese ink painting.
He is currently a visiting professor at Renmin University of China and lifetime adviser to the Ningbo Art Museum, and formerly served as president of the Central Academy of Art in Malaysia.
Since his first solo exhibition in Penang in 1969, he has held over 150 exhibitions worldwide.
The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm daily until Aug 31 at Wells Auction Group.
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