For the 105th anniversary of National Chung Hsing University, the Art Center has invited two renowned Taiwanese realist painters, Liang Chin-Chia and Wang Jian-Bi, to hold an art exhibition titled "Lively Light and Shadow: Capturing the Spirit of Realism" from October 24 to November 28, 2024. The exhibition will display nearly 50 realist still life and portrait paintings. The interplay of light and shadow gives viewers a direct photographic feeling and a sense of timeless beauty between reality and illusion.
“From puppet shows, clay oven rolls and Fried bread stick to plastic bags, my paintings, my emotions, memories, and life have always been searching for a certain essence—the essence that belongs to this land…”
Liang Chin-Chia was born in 1964 in Wanhua, Taipei city. He graduated from the National Taipei University of the Arts and holds a master's degree in art from Salamanca, Spain. Currently, he is a part-time lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts at the National Taipei University of the Arts. He is renowned for his exceptional technical skills in realist painting. He believes that all forms of art are deeply connected to the land and to everyday life, and he chooses painting as a way to document life. His classical painting techniques faithfully depict the true appearance of objects, going beyond mere "representation." Through long periods of observation and refinement, he finds a harmony between life and his inner spirit, infusing his work with a sense of the era and evoking shared memories unique to the people of Taiwan. From a distance, his paintings appear almost indistinguishable from reality. His portraits delicately present the complexity of muscles and bones, showcasing the beauty of the human form. With the vivid expressions, the portraits seem to reveal their own stories and emotions.
“Flowers are my favorite subject. I hope to capture the most beautiful faces and forms of flowers, giving each work rich visual layers and beauty while embodying a simple natural spirit…”
Wang Jian-Bi was born in 1962 in Kaohsiung City. She graduated from the National Taiwan University of Arts and earned her master’s degree in art from Salamanca, Spain. She has a deep passion for flowers—she loves to grow, care for, and paint them. Regardless of time or season, she personally goes to her rooftop garden, planting, fertilizing, controlling pests, and trimming the plants, which has allowed her to form a strong connection with them and understand their unique characteristics. In her artwork, flowers are not limited to a single form of representation. From the romantic expressions of vase arrangements on the table to the vibrant outdoor flower shrubs, and the playful dance of sunlight filtering through the petals and leaves, her paintings showcase a rich array of colors, brushstrokes, space, and atmosphere. The layered beauty in her art seems to give off a delicate fragrance and a true sense of vitality.
Realistic and figurative paintings, shaped by the artist’s aesthetic consciousness, creates vivid and lifelike visuals that showcase the beauty of truth, goodness, and beauty in both nature and culture. These works convey the simplicity of everyday life and a deep connection to local emotions. Through realistic painting, the two artists portray their lives, forming a connection with and touching the hearts of viewers. Unlike Classicism, which refines life based on ideals of beauty, or Romanticism, which interprets life through a subjective lens, their approach reflects life as it truly is—warm, natural, and simple. It shares the same spirit as National Chung Hsing University's motto, "Honesty, Simplicity, Advancement, and Diligence." Welcome everyone to visit and appreciate the exhibition.
