Malaysian and Chinese calligraphers hold joint exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR: Local artist and calligrapher Dr Cheng Haw-Chien is holding a joint Chinese art exhibition with two world-renowned calligraphy painting artists until the coming Sunday.

The calligraphy painting artists are Dr Xu Qingping and Dr Chen Chuan Xi.

Xu, 73, from Beijing, China, is the son of late Chinese master Xu Bei­hong, who was one of the pioneering Chinese artists to set the direction of modern Chinese painting at the beginning of the 20th century.

He is primarily known for his Chinese ink paintings of horses that pulsed with beauty and bravery when the Japanese invasion was immi­nent in China during the early 1900s.

His works have sold for millions of dollars.

Chen, 69, from Jiangsu, China, is an extensive researcher in Chinese arts with 36 books and over 500 academic papers published.

Having advised countless international students and scholars from 16 different countries, Chen is still active in reviewing Chinese ancient artworks. He also had many solo exhibitions before in Moscow as well as the Jiangsu and Shandong provinces in China.

All three artists are adjunct professors at the Renmin University of China.

The “Trilogy” art exhibition consists of 30 pieces of ink paintings and calligraphy work, featuring mainly flowers, animals and scenery jointly completed by at least two of the three artists.

Recalling the time when the first idea to have a collaboration years ago was mooted, Penang-born Cheng said that they initially thought of doing some art pieces together for their friends to enjoy.

“We often meet at the Renmin University and had a chat about it.

“It finally materialised when we completed our first painting together six years ago,” he said when met after the exhibition’s official opening by former transport minister and Universiti Malaya adjunct professor Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy at the Clarity Art Centre in Cheras yesterday.Cheng said he was happy that the joint effort came through, adding that they were in the midst of producing more joint pieces.

“We have plans to have exhibitions in Beijing and Taipei next.

“I look forward to meeting Dr Xu and Dr Chen when we will be physically together for the exhibition in Beijing next,” he said.

Cheng, who is known for his Chinese calligraphy and poems as well as finding his muse in his everyday experiences, pointed out that a mutual understanding is im­­portant in any art collaboration.

“We must coordinate among ourselves the theme and what to paint in its idea setup.

“Otherwise things won’t come together if we only bother about painting our own stuff,” he said, adding that the kind of paper, brush and colouring used also have a great effect on the painting.

Cheng said that there were six other art pieces by all three of them which would be flown in from Beijing to be exhibited.

Open from noon to 6pm daily, the Clarity Art Centre is located at C73-1, Jalan C180/1, Taman Kasturi, Cheras, Selangor.