Poetic Rhythm, Transformation, Esoteric Omens: Chen Ting-Shih 110th Birthday Memorial Exhibition

Chen Ting-Shih, originally from Changle, Fujian, was called a “national treasure” of art by Chu Ko (Yuan Te-Hsing), a former National Palace Museum researcher. Both Lee Jiun-Shyan, former Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts director, and art critic Victoria Lu Yung-Chih considered him an embodiment of “art history.” As a first-generation postwar Chinese artist in Taiwan, he received an education in classical studies, along with literati calligraphy and painting. Having endured the Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Civil War, the February 28 Incident, the White Terror, and the cultural impact of post-martial law, his life epitomized the tumultuous history of prewar China and postwar Taiwan. After relocating to Taiwan after the retrocession, Chen and his friends from the arts and cultural sector established the Modern Printmaking Society, the Fifth Moon Group, and Modern Eye, paving a new path for modern art development in Taiwan. His creative work can be broadly categorized into three categories: realistic woodcut prints, abstract expressionism, and mixed sculpture.

After gaining an international reputation and moving to Taiping, Taichung in 1981, Chen’s artistic style was indirectly influenced by his interactions with the local art community and his surroundings. His striking mixed-media iron sculptures showed remarkable vitality and ambition, elevating his artistic achievements to new heights and inspiring other creators. As a modern art pioneer in Taiwan, Chen often represented Taiwan at international exhibitions abroad. His artistic accomplishments garnered global recognition and acclaim, highlighting his significant role in the art scenes of Taichung and Taiwan.

To interpret Chen’s artistic legacy and emphasize his impact on the modern sculpture movement in central Taiwan, curator Pai Shih-Ming has been invited to curate the exhibition in collaboration with the Chen Ting Shih Modern Art Foundation. This exhibition showcases the artist’s exceptional achievements with a rich collection of nearly one hundred works, including iron sculptures, prints, acrylic paintings, ink paintings, color ink paintings, and calligraphy. It also replicates the artist’s living environment, reflecting an elegant literati atmosphere. In addition to the artworks and artifacts, an interactive digital space is created to immerse visitors in Chen’s artistic realm, participate in secondary creation, and download photos as keepsakes, making the visit even more enjoyable.