Dr. Cheng Haw Chien, born in Penang in 1948, has spent a lifetime mastering the art of Chinese ink on rice paper, a medium that has become synonymous with his name. His early artistic education was marked by diverse influences, having studied watercolour under Dato Tan Chiang Kiong and oil painting at the Yu Chian Gallery during his high school years. It was in 1968 that his oil painting "At Dawn" was selected for the Penang State Museum & Gallery's Local Artist Exhibition, signalling the beginning of a distinguished career in the arts.
Over the decades, Dr. Cheng has been primarily known for his work in Chinese ink painting, although his oeuvre also includes works in watercolour, oil, and mixed media. In the past 30 years, his exploration of splash ink and colour techniques has expanded the boundaries of traditional Chinese ink painting, bringing a contemporary flair to his work.
An avid traveller, Dr. Cheng has drawn inspiration from the countless art museums he has visited around the world and from his long-standing relationships with renowned artists such as Chia Yu Chian, Tew Nai Tong, Liu Kang, Hendra Gunawan, Ma Pai-Shui, Wu Guanzhong and Zao Wou-Ki. These experiences have subtly influenced his artistic evolution.
In 2019, a journey to the Himalayas, particularly the majestic Mount Everest, ignited a new passion within him. The grandeur of the landscapes inspired a series of works that captured the awe-inspiring beauty of the region through splash ink and colour. This profound experience also rekindled his interest in oil painting, prompting him to revisit a medium he had not embraced for many years.
For this exhibition, Dr. Cheng returns to oil on canvas to express the powerful themes inspired by the Himalayas. Though the medium differs from his usual practice, the continuity and expansion of his unique style remain evident. This exhibition represents not only a return to his artistic roots but also a bold new chapter in his ongoing journey as an artist of the Lingnan School.
Lee Khai
Chairman, Penang State Art Gallery
Advisor, Penang Art District
鄭浩千博士，1948年出生於檳城，是一位在藝術界備受推崇的畫家。他的藝術生涯始於中學時期，曾向陳昌孔老師學習水彩，並在玉謙畫廊學習油畫。1968年，他的油畫作品《黎明》入選檳州博物館画廊主辦的《當地畫家》展覽，這標誌著他藝術道路上的重要起點。
在長期的藝術創作中，鄭博士以水墨畫為主要媒介，偶爾也創作水彩、油彩及混合媒材的作品。近三十年來，他在水墨畫方面探索潑墨潑彩技法，使傳統的水墨藝術呈現出全新的面貌。他的作品常常反映出他對世界的敏銳觀察，這一切都得益於他廣泛的旅行與藝術館參觀經歷。此外，他還與諸多藝術家保持長期交流，如謝玉謙、張耐冬、劉抗、Hendra Gunawan 、馬白水、吳冠中及趙無極等，這些互動對他的創作風格產生了深遠的影響。
2019年，他的西藏之旅特別啟發了他的創作靈感，尤其是對珠峰和喜瑪拉雅山的描繪，使他以潑墨潑彩的形式展現了這些壯麗的自然景觀。這段經歷激發了他重返油畫媒介的衝動，並用此表達他對這些題材的熱愛。
在本次展覽中，鄭博士將以油畫作品呈現他對喜瑪拉雅山的全新詮釋。雖然媒介有所不同，但他在風格上的延續與拓展依然可見，這標誌著他藝術旅程中的一個新的篇章。我們期待著觀眾能在這次展覽中感受到鄭博士對藝術的熱情和不斷探索的岭南画派精神。
李凯
槟城州立美术馆主席
槟城艺术区顾问