Chen Wen Hsi

The work is in good condition overall. Upon close observation, there is indication of minor foxing near the bottom left and right corners, a slight tear on the bottom left corner and faint gentle creases on the top margin. The ink and colour are bright. No restoration. Framed, under Plexiglas.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

“In composition, different shades of colours, discontinuity of lines and pictorial planes and dimensions are sometimes used to show distances. These may work in tandem. If one understands these things, the picture would be greatly imbued with life and look very good immediately. So you don’t necessarily have to pay attention to lines only. Generally speaking, in a picture, one may use different sizes to show near and far, discontinuous lines to show “spirit”, and different colours to express how things look. You don’t necessarily have to paint with verisimilitude. That’s my experience.”

– Chen Wen Hsi, Convergences: Chen Wen Hsi Centennial Exhibition Volume 2, P. 64

Best known for his depictions of cranes, herons, and gibbons, Singaporean artist Chen Wen Hsi was revered for his Oriental painting style with a cubist touch and his love for animals and the nature. As one of the proponents in establishing the Nanyang School, Chinese ink paintings were undoubtedly one of the strongest suits of the artist, as demonstrated in the present lot entitled Ducks.

Featuring ducks in a pond, the painting is a special piece among Chen Wen Hsi’s animal collection. In traditional Chinese ink practices, artists deliberately left white blank spaces in the pictorial composition to imply the sky or bodies of water. Bearing a comparatively sparser pictorial composition, Ducks alluded to this particular practice in Chinese ink paintings. Instead of dominating the composition with his subject matter, Chen Wen Hsi left behind blank spaces in the painting, provoking a unique sense of serenity with the undisturbed environment. By using just a few brushstrokes, Chen Wen Hsi captured the essence of the animal while simultaneously blended in some cubist traits prevalent in his animal paintings. Perfectly exhibited Chen Wen Hsi’s ability in rendering the nature and his favourite motifs, Ducks remained to be one of the finest examples throughout the artist’s oeuvre, illustrating his proficiency in both Chinese and Western painting styles.