A multilingual book exploring artworks of New Taipei City’s Tamsui District by late Taiwan painter Chen Cheng-po was released Nov. 23 by Tamkang University.
Compiled by the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures at New Taipei-based TKU, “Let’s Talk about Chen Cheng-po and Tamsui” examines six of the painter’s works depicting natural and cultural locations in the district. The publication also features an introduction to Chen’s life and information on historic sites spotlighted in the compositions, including Fuyou Temple, Tamkang Senior High School, Tamsui Red Castle and Tamsui Church.
All of the content of the book is offered in traditional Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
Lucia Chen, dean of the college, said the paintings deliver accurate and vibrant illustrations of the people, society and streets of Tamsui during the period 1928-1936, providing invaluable educational and research materials. Through publishing the book, TKU aims to foster awareness of Chen’s artistry and highlight the district’s rich history and culture, she added.
Born in 1895 in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County, Chen became famed for pieces mixing traditional Eastern and Western painting techniques. In 1926, he was the first Taiwan artist to have his work displayed at Japan’s Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition, and later co-founded Tai-Yang Art Association, which has staged an annual exhibition of paintings by Taiwan artists for eight decades.
Among Chen’s best known works are his depictions of the cityscapes and natural scenery of Chiayi City, Tamsui and southern Taiwan’s Tainan City. He created 22 paintings of the New Taipei district during his lifetime. (CPY-E)
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