Rivers are tracks along which civilizations are developed: The Tamtsui River and the Keelung River are to Taipei what Mississippi and Missouri Rivers are to St. Louis. They all nurtured and stamped the respective city's culture and art. I am greatly honored to be part of bringing Chu Chen-nan's special art exhibit to St. Louis, to introduce seventy pieces of work that came out of the nurturing spirits of the four great rivers.
I like Chu Chen-nan's paintings, also his calligraphy. His tinted ink brush paintings are realistic yet creatively lively, melding East and West to form an individual style. Obscuring shapes to get to inner forms, he creates a myriad of transformations. And in his calligraphy - a grass style- his floridly expressive characters fairly dance with underlying meaning. Indeed, he paints with calligraphy; and in characters, painting and calligraphy become one. But what I like most about Chu Chen-nan is his person. I like him for his generosity, his honorable nature.
I came to know Chu Chen-nan when he was furthering his studies in St. Louis. I was then the president of the Taiwanese Association of St. Louis in the midst of organizing activities for the 2001 Taiwanese-American Heritage Week to be held at the St. Louis Zoo. Without hesitation, he provided me with two paintings to raise funds. Moreover, on the days of the activities he sat at the center of the exhibition hall and demonstrated his calligraphy and paintings. A master at work. He was an instant hit with the public and became the theme of that year's celebration.
In 2004, while we were preparing to participate in the "St. Louis 1904 Worlds Fair Centennial Celebration," Mr. Chu
created especially for the occasion a large scale work titled 'Taroko Gorge,' a most iconic Taiwanese scenic spot. He also provided printing of the posters which added much color to the Taiwan Pavilion. I also dare hope that after the exhibition Chu's monumental work specifically created for St. Louis - ' Taroko Gorge' - will become part of the St. Louis Art Museum's permanent collection.
Master Chu Chen-nan has toured and studied in many major art centers of the world: Paris, New York, Tokyo and St. Louis. Yet, he regards St. Louis as his creative homeland, not only because he lived here for some years and made many friends, but also because the area's culture is in many way similar to that of Taiwan. Most importantly it is because he felt that the time spent in St. Louis was the crucial turning point in his personal insight , as well as in his creative career. For one thing, there is the completion of an academic degree. Another is the exposure to an open-minded learning environment in a western art institution. During the past ten plus years, the more he achieved and succeeded in his artistic endeavor, the more he felt his nostalgia for St. Louis and his gratitude for the institutions here that nurtured him. Thus came the idea of holding an art show in St. Louis in order to better share his work of the past ten years.
I gladly volunteered to help realize this most anticipated special exhibit. First, it allows me to repay his "drawing of the sword," Samurai like, to help me in my need, and also to show my appreciation for our brotherly friendship. Beyond that, it fulfills my long standing wish to introduce contemporary fine arts of Taiwan to mainstream America.
As a novice, I totally misjudged the complexity of putting on an art show, let alone one that involves transoceanic transportation and communications. Likewise, much effort must be expended to ensure the quality of the show so that a couple of college presidents will agree to write prefaces for this program. Fortunately, I have been greatly aided by my colleague Dr. Charles Tsai , an ardent art lover himself. Here, I also wish to thank the support of various organizations that sponsor or co-sponsor this event.
A Reminiscent Return:
Mr. Chu Chen-nan, Art Exhibition - St. Louis, Spring 2012
Exhibition Location:
Medaille Hall, Fontbonne University.
6800 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, Missouri 63105
Exhibition Hours: April 21st to April 30th, 2012, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sponsor: Fontbonne University
Co-Sponsors: Lindenwood University, Taiwanese Association of America in Greater St. Louis, Friends of Taiwan - Greater St. Louis, North America Taiwanese Medical Association Foundation, St. Louis Chinese Writer Association
Wilson Shen, Executive Executor of Art Exhibition |
