 The three good friends, Cheng Shan-his, Chen Jui-keng, and Fu Shen have organized a third joint exhibition at Kaohsiung Howard Salon. On the one hand, it was in celebration of the Kaohsiung Howard Salon's anniversary; on the other hand, this calligraphic exhibition recorded decades of friendship among the three.
The Tian Shang Mt., literally referred to sky mountains, is the place where Mr. Cheng, Mr. Chen. and Mr. Shen work. If we look at the experience accumulated at the Tsyangyao workshop, a pottery and ceramic factory, Mr. Cheng was given the name as "the senior mater," bringing joy with an open heart toward work, while Mr. Chen, the junior master, was of great humor.
They usually brought a lot of laughter to the workshop. As the two masters were teasing each other, what Mr. Fu could do is to nod his head and smile or immerse himself in creation. He was awarded a title of "the best collie" who usually stayed up till the midnight due to his careful work in carving.
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Cheng Shan-Hsi
glaze
16.5 x 9 x 36.5 cm |
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For Mr. Fu who returned home to Taiwan six years ago and I, our first encounter could be traced back to the first joint exhibition at Taipei Howard Solon five years ago today, in front of a small table next to the French windows. Ever since then, the annual joint exhibition records a pleasant yearly meet as well as the predestined relationship of us. |
Over the years, I have accumulated a great deal of traveling experience with my MARCH, a little silver-pink car, driving my master, Mr. Fu, who always carries a black working bag, along the zigzag path up to the Tsyangyao workshop in the Tian Shang Mt. Mountain at Tuchen.
At the turn of spring and summer, flower petals of paulownia fell like snow down to my windshield and paved on the roadside. The green trees whispered low and mild, while the mist-like banners clasped the air as clouds embraced the mountains.
It was as if we were entering a wonderland. As passing by, I came to realize that it was the crucial time that the three masters had to have compact submission of their artworks.
The owners of the Tsyangyao workshop, Mr. and Ms. Lin, are unique with a good disposition, raising a son and a daughter. Having hard efforts with their hands, they created a harmonious and easy life in the mountains. In the meantime, they also maintained a lifetime relationship with the visiting artists. Visitors' coming in and out the workshop, gradually, brought a new inspiration to Mr. and Ms. Lin's pottery creation. Many brilliant masterpieces were the vestige of the Tsyangyao workshop. |
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Fu Shen
bottle
17.5 x 17.5 x 42.5 cm |
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Chen Jui-Kung
bottle
24 x 24 x 41 cm |
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My comprehension toward the art of Chinese calligraphy is relatively shallow. For this, I could simply play an insignificant role as a messenger. I'd love to appreciate the three masters' brilliant artworks and at times practiced calligraphy. During those old days gathering with the three masters and the Lin family in the Tian Shang Mt., talking about calligraphy as well as exchanging different perspectives, I, as an onlooker, was deeply touched by their interaction with sincere encouragement and support. Each anniversary joint exhibition, more likely to be a more periodic ceremony, strengthens their everlasting friendship. |
Joyfulness is a blessing as people enjoy physical well-being. Mr. Cheng, Mr. Chen and Mr. Fu have achieved the level of full maturity since they devoted themselves to art creation for more than fifty years. Each of whom possesses a unique specialty in their creation, revealing a dynamic characteristic as well as aptitude of their own. They often learn from each other and create cooperatively. Each presented artwork is expected to create an innovative and make a big progress.
The artistic and calligraphic blossom of creation is presented at the Howard Solon while having the three masters' seeds in the Tian Shang Mt.
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Fu Shen calligraphy
136 x 26 cm x 2 |
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Texts and pictures provided by Howard Salon
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