Exhibition Period
June 9 – June 19, 2017
Opening Ceremony
June 9, 2017 (Sun.) 02:30 PM
National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Boai Art Gallery
Venue
National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Boai Art Gallery
(No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110054, Taiwan)
This exhibition presents a comprehensive retrospective of Ms. Anita Wong Chen-Ching Wen’s artistic career, showcasing the essence of her lifelong creative endeavors. Known for her serene and unassuming nature, Ms. Wong was deeply compassionate and approached all living beings with empathy. This profound sense of humanity is reflected in the tranquil and expansive atmosphere of her works. A lifelong admirer of nature, she often drew inspiration from the natural world, imbuing her art with an elegant and organic aesthetic.
As suggested by the exhibition title, “10 Years of Remembrance”, this event also embodies the spirit of legacy. Alongside her own works, the exhibition features outstanding pieces from past recipients of the “Anita Wong Chen-Ching Wen Painting Creation Award.” Although Ms. Wong has since passed, her legacy endures through the Anita Wong Chen-Ching Wen Charitable Foundation. Under the leadership of her son, Chairman Warren Wang, the foundation remains committed to nurturing the next generation of young artists and continues to uphold and support Ms. Wong’s lifelong passion for art.
Anita Wong grew up in an artistic family and moved to the UK during her youth. Between 1969 and 1972, she earned diplomas in interior design and painting. After moving to the U.S., she obtained a degree in visual arts in 1978 and began teaching modern sketching at NTUA (formerly the National School of Art) in 1982. Although she took a hiatus from her art career in 1985 to support her family’s business, Wang returned to painting in 1998 with encouragement from her artistic circle. By 2000, she re-established her presence in the art world with solo and group exhibitions internationally, where her distinctive, bold “dynamic brushwork” style captivated audiences.
Curator Dr. Ye Guo-Shin notes that Anita Wong’s artistic journey can be divided into two stages, with the year 2000 marking a turning point. The earlier phase represents her academic and spiritual preparation, while post-2000, Anita Wong’s signature style fully emerged, blending traditional and modern, figurative and abstract, Eastern and Western influences. Her work embodies a harmonious wisdom that invites viewers to explore landscapes, space, and emotional resonance, evoking calm amid movement.
In addition to 23 Western-style paintings, this exhibition will feature Anita Wong’s calligraphy works for the first time. Curator Dr. Ye explains that Anita Wong’s calligraphy, a practice she cultivated from a young age, displays a unique balance of strength and gentleness, capturing her essence. The exhibit also includes selected works from the Chen Jingwen Painting Creation Award, showcasing the winning entries from the past four years.
A commemorative catalog and video compilation accompany the exhibition. Dr. Ye employed his expertise in art authentication to analyze Anita Wong’s paintings, calligraphy, sketches, and works previously unseen in Taiwan. The catalog and video aim to present a comprehensive interpretation of her artistic contributions, enriched by commentary from art scholars across China and Taiwan.
This exhibition, marking the 10th anniversary of Anita Wong Chen Jingwen’s passing, reaffirms her spirit of gratitude toward the earth through art. Friends, family, and all who appreciate art are warmly invited to celebrate the extraordinary life and artistry of Anita Wong Chen Jingwen.
