IPOH: The works of the late renowned Malaysian poet and writer Peng Shih Lin reminisce the Tang and Song dynasties and their link to modern times, says Dr Lim Chee Men.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of a book documenting Peng’s work, the lecturer at the Institute of Chinese Studies at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar, said that her poetry and calligraphy capture the essence of modern people living in an ancient world.
"It's old-style poetry and calligraphy...it's an old-school thing. Her works take me back to the olden days," he said.
Peng, an educationist, writer, calligrapher, and artist, was born in Hunan, China in 1923 and moved to Ipoh, Perak, in 1950 after marrying tin miner Leong Sam Yuan.
She taught Chinese literature at SMJK Perempuan Perak (formerly Perak Girls' School) and then became its headmistress from 1954 to 1978.
She was also known by her pen name Cui Yuan. The grandmother of five was an advisor to the Malaysian Calligraphy Association.
Her books include classical poetry like "Selected Poems of Ju Cui Yuan Shi," and essay collections "Ye Chuang Xian Hua" and "Shu Deng Xu Yu."
Her works in poetry have earned her international recognition, including an Overseas Culture and Art Award from the Taiwan Chinese Culture and Art Association in 1992.
In 2005, her works were exhibited at Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
To preserve her artistic and literary legacy, her children compiled a book titled "A Collection of Peng Shih Lin’s Artwork".
The bilingual compilation, in Mandarin and English, was edited and written by the late Dr Lee Kean Yau, a former lecturer of Chinese Literature at New Era College & University.
The process took five years, resulting in a 183-page book that features photographs and about 100 pieces of Peng’s work, including calligraphy, poems, paintings, and Chinese seals.
Pantai Remis assemblyman Wong May Ing found the book unique due to Peng's old-school writing style.
"Her writing has a rare, old-school charm. Many of Malaysia’s Chinese educators, including headmasters, grew up with calligraphy as an inherent part of their lives, not as something they had to learn in school," she said.
"The book's editor and writer, Lee, was my former lecturer in Chinese Literature. He passed away in May this year.
"I came here to view the book edited by my lecturer," she added.
Peng’s daughter-in-law, Chung Yook Chee, 65, meanwhile, said that the bilingual book was published in 2017 but has only been launched this year.
"We published the book in Singapore because we wanted the best publisher for her treasured items. Instead of just leaving it, we decided to publish some of her artwork," she said.
The book was published by Peng’s son, Leong Chao Seong.
