Ink-and-paper trove from the Shanghai School

THE influence and legacy of artist Fan Chang Tien (1907-1987) has been given more recognition in the last couple of years with a few exhibitions and even a definitive book launch. Another exhibition early in the new calender year further cements his legacy in Singapore.

The "Influence of the Shanghai School of Painting in Singapore" casts a wider net by focusing on how the Shanghai influence came about, showcasing the works of Fang's students here as well.

"The showcase will represent four generations of the art movement from the time of the 'Haipai' style's grandmaster Wu Changshuo (1844-1927), but 90 per cent of the works shown are by Singapore artists," says Samuel Chen, co-founder of the Asia Art Collective art gallery/consultancy.

Mr Chen explains how the exhibit aptly coincides with Singapore's 50th anniversary. "It showcases how a major branch of ink painting had taken root and developed in Singapore, earning the praise and recognition of Chinese painting circles internationally."

Fan Chang Tien was the emigrant artist who carried the tradition to Singapore when he came in the 1950s; and taught the following artists who became his Singapore "disciples" of the Shanghai School: Tan Siow Aik, Ling Cher Eng (1940-1995), Nai Swee Leng, Lim Kay Hiong and Tan Oe Pang in the 1960s; Lee Soo Chee, Huang Biyun, Chua Ek Kay (1947-2008), Low Eng and Henri Chen Kezhan in the 1970s.

The Shanghai School transformed the age-old Literati tradition of Chinese painting and calligraphy by adding more self-expression, and integrated poetic verse, painting and calligraphy. "It's important for us to recognise this school because it's a major branch in the modernisation of art in China, which was transmitted through Fan's teaching in Singapore," notes Mr Chen.

Fan also trained his students to merge verse and picture, and to execute it in bold expression. "Chua Ek Kay is probably the student who took it to the extreme in his abstraction," says Mr Chen. "While never departing from the medium of Chinese ink and paper."

Fan's students founded the Hwa Han Art Society in the 1980s, raising the stature and knowledge of Chinese ink painting in Singapore.

"I think it's a good thing to understand how our art developed in Singapore, and to have a greater appreciation of it," adds Mr Chen.

'Influence of the Shanghai School of painting in Singapore' will be open from Jan 10-28, from 11am-8pm daily at East Garden Foyer Gallery and the Fullerton Heritage Gallery of the Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square. The opening on Jan 10 will be at 3pm, followed by a 4pm discussion forum by art critics Teo Han Wue and Low Khee Choon, moderated by guest-of-honour Choo Thiam Siew, CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre