Chen Wen Hsi

Chen Wen Hsi (; 1906–1991) was a Chinese-born Singaporean artist, known for his avant-garde Chinese paintings.

Early life and education Chen was born in Jieyang, Guangdong, China, and had his early education at Chen Li Primary School and St. Joseph Middle School.

After graduation from secondary school, Chen decided to study full-time in fine art at the Shanghai College of Art in 1928, despite his uncle's objection. Unhappy with the college, Chen transferred to the Xinhua College of Art in Shanghai, where he was taught by renowned artists such as Pan Tianshou, with half of his classmates a year later. It was at Xinhua where he became acquainted with Chen Jen Hao, Chen Chong Swee and Liu Kang, all of whom were to become Singapore's Nanyang pioneer artists and art educationists. After four years at Xinhua, Chen graduated and returned to Jieyang.

Career After getting married in Jieyang, Chen went to Shantou in 1929, at the age of 21. His work was exhibited in Shanghai (1931, 1933) and Guangzhou (1932, 1936). In 1937, he received recognition and praise of Chinese painter Xu Beihong at the second Chinese National Art Exhibition in Nanjing. In the same year, an English arts magazine elected him as one of contemporary China's ten greatest artists. He left China in 1947 and had further exhibitions in Saigon (1948), Hong Kong (1949), Bangkok – Kuala Lumpur (1949), and Bangkok-Singapore (1950).

In Singapore, he proceeded to teach art at The Chinese High School (1949–1968) and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (1951–1959). Chen travelled to various places in Southeast Asia to collect drawing materials during his vacations, and he was especially inspired by the people and customs of Bali and Java. In June 1955, Chen took part in a seven-artist group exhibition organised by the Singapore Art Society. by the 13th-century Southern Song dynasty artist Muqi.

Awed by its lifelike quality, he was convinced with Muqi's great skill in close observation of the gibbons. So day and night, Chen studied Muqi's print and emulated the painting. Chen had never seen a gibbon when he was in China, and as a result he did not realise that gibbons, unlike monkeys, lacked tails.

It was only much later in the late-1940s, that a foreigner pointed out his error in his painting, and corrected him. Around that time, he had bought a white faced gibbon for $300 at a local pet shop shortly after he arrived in Singapore. This gave him immense opportunities to study the creature's postures and its characteristics, by rearing it in his home garden. In time, Chen had a total of six pet gibbons – one white, one grey and four black ones.

What began in the mid-1950s as a formal student–teacher relationship, with Lu studying ink and brush painting under Chen, blossomed into a lifelong bond founded on mutual respect. As a surgeon and diplomat, Lu became more than just a pupil; he was a steadfast champion of Chen's ink works, purchasing the artist's paintings in the early years and promoting them to affluent peers. Lu also implemented strategic decisions that helped Chen build a broader collector base. Initially, Lu focused on acquiring smaller pieces, believing that larger, more significant works should be left to other collectors. Furthermore, as Chen’s works gained widespread popularity, Lu ceased purchasing new pieces to allow emerging collectors the opportunity to acquire Chen’s art. Despite stepping back from the market, Lu retained an important collection of Chen’s paintings from the 1980s. According to Low Sze Wee, Group Director (Museums), National Heritage Board, Singapore, this collection serves as a testament to their close friendship: "By the 1980s, the two men had become so close that Chen would present a favourite painting to Lu as a Chinese New Year gift annually".

Believing himself to be merely a custodian of art , Lu later donated many of the works he had acquired to public institutions. The most famous donated work is Two Gibbons Amidst Vines, which was featured on the reverse side of Singapore’s $50 note .

Honours For his contributions to the fine arts in Singapore, President Yusof Ishak conferred Chen the Public Service Star in 1964.

Chen's artistic endeavours have also made history by being the first artist with a number of first honours conferred on him. In 1975, Chen was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the then-Chancellor of the University of Singapore, and President of Singapore, Benjamin Sheares. In 1980, he became the first Singaporean artist to be invited, and conferred with the Golden Chapter gold medal award, by the National Museum of History in Taiwan. He was also the first recipient of the ASEAN Cultural and Communications Award for outstanding artists, in 1987.

After his death in 1991 at age 85, Chen was awarded a posthumous Meritorious Service Medal.