Chen Bing Sun Explained

Chen Bing Sun (; 1914 − 8 January 1988) was a Chinese-Filipino playwright, artist and song writer. He became known as the Father of Chinese Brush Painting in the Philippines.

Chen came from Shanghai, he was educated at School of Hanzhou in 1930, and then at the State University of KiWang Wan in 1932 and the Shanghai School of Arts in 1936.[1]

He married the actress Ouyang Feiying (歐陽飛鶯, real name Wu Jingjuan 吳靜娟) in Xiamen while he was awaiting a visa to visit Philippines.[2] He planned to tour with the "Star Theatre", but the communist revolution happened in mainland China, and he did not return.[2] He moved to the Philippines and was a professor at the University of the Philippines.His style is a combination of Tang and Sung.In his teaching there were four stages. Firstly simpler flora such as bamboo, primrose and orchid were taught.The second stage was copying peony, birds and fish. The third stage was landscape and humans. The final fourth stage was composition.[3] He painted many horse pictures.[4]

He became a believer in Jesus Christ, and as a result of this included verses from the bible on each of his paintings. This became a characteristic of his art.[5] He became a deacon at the Grace Christian Church in Manila.[6]

In 1974 he composed a cantata titled Song of Wisdom with 6 songs: Do not know, Fear of the Lord, blessing, stay away from crime, rest and Song of Wisdom.[2] [7]

His students included Thuy Lien,[8] Fernanado Zobel[9] Nicki Chen[10] Jamaliah Marais,[11] Cissy Gray,[12] Homoon Wollock Chung Youn,[13] Hiroko Thomson,[14] Heidi Uhlig,[15] Abigail Reeder Nazareth,[16] and Elizabeth Ann B. Quirico.[17]

Patrons included George Ty from Metrobank, and Alfredo Ching the owner of Baguio Oil.[18]

He taught at Grace Christian High School. Later he opened the Chinese Artists' Guild in 1958.[19] He remained director in 1972.[20]

Chen also designed book covers, drew anti-communist cartoons, worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese newspaper. He was the first Chinese chief delegate to the 1960 UNESCO Convention.[1]

He had children Angela Claudia, Deanna, Edward, Florence, Grace and Henry named in alphabetical order.[6] He died in 1988 after an illness.[19] He had cancer.[21]

Exhibitions

References

  1. News: Fine Brush Art. 14 July 1974. Philippine Panorama. 26.
  2. Web site: 谷區國語浸信會 - 古今聖詩漫談. Mandarin Baptist Church of San Fernando Valley. Chinese. 2 December 2013.
  3. News: Chen's art. Limbo. Ma Salva. 1977. Manila Times 1977.
  4. Web site: Lieuson . Miriam . Chen Bing Sun: A legacy of art . Fortnighly Tulay Chinese-Filipino Digest . https://web.archive.org/web/20210727150429/https://tulay.ph/2021/06/30/chen-bing-sun-a-legacy-of-art/ . 26-27 . June 17 – July 7, 2014 . 2021-07-27 . dead.
  5. News: Brush Paintings with a Message. Navasero. Mandy. 8 November 2013. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 3 December 2013.
  6. News: They're in Art Chen Bing Sun & Annie Woo Chen. 28 September 1976. Mr & Mrs Magazine.
  7. Web site: 陳明勳教授創作的「敬畏耶和華」 - 平步青云 - PChome 個人新聞台. 2 December 2013.
  8. Web site: About the Artist. 3 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150224210943/http://tlotus.com/About.html. 24 February 2015. dead.
  9. Metropolitan Museum of Manila flyer 15 May 1987
  10. Web site: Chinese Brush Painting . Behind the Story across the ocean and back with Nicki Chen. 13 October 2013.
  11. Web site: About the Artist. Oriental Expressions with Jamaliah Marais.
  12. Web site: One thing leads to another. 17 October 2010. 5 December 2013.
  13. News: Homoon "Wollock" Chung's Brush Painting. Park. Jeong-jun. 12 July 2012. Korea IT Times. 6 December 2013.
  14. Web site: Hiroko Thomson . Hana Coast Gallery - Maui Art Gallery featuring Herb Kane Art and other local artists. Cultural Hawaiian Art Gallery in Hawaii..
  15. Web site: Shop art by Heidi Uhlig - 3 artworks for sale on Bluethumb. . bluethumb.com.au.
  16. Web site: About Abigail Reeder Nazareth . 13 December 2023.
  17. Web site: Color and Cook: Filipino Food Coloring Book . HapaMama . 2 August 2016.
  18. Web site: when art is more than just art-'his legacy our heritage'. Malaya Business Insight. 5 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221712/http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/living/when-art-more-just-art-%E2%80%98his-legacy-our-heritage%E2%80%99. 3 March 2016. dead.
  19. Web site: Remembering "The Father of Chinese Painting in the Philippines". DZFE Mod. 21 October 2013. 3 December 2013.
  20. Book: Chinese Painting: The Chinese Artists' Guild, Manila 1972. 1972. Manila.
  21. Web site: From art to heart: Keeping a legacy alive. Asian Journal Digital. 3 December 2013.
  22. News: Rice Terraces. 10 October 1974. Bulletin Today. Manila.

External links