Chen Cheng-Po

TAIWAN, Chiayi

Chen Cheng-Po was a painter who studied abroad at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan, where he specialized in western painting style. In 1926, his piece, Street of Chiayi was chosen to be exhibited in the 7th Empire Art Exhibition in Japan. He was the first painter from Taiwan to be selected for this exhibition, and in subsequent years, additional works of his were chosen.
Chen, a diligent artist and learner, painted with oils in the style of the impressionist school. His paintings were chosen for the Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition on ten occasions and the Taiwan Governmental Fine Arts Exhibitions six times. Many of his painting portrayed temples, which were painted with exotic colors. His painting, Access to the Temple is kept at Longshan Temple and considered to be an exceptional work of art.
From 1929 to 1933, Chen taught at both Xinhua Art College and Changming Art College in Shanghai. He was also a review committee member for various art exhibitions. However, despite his success abroad, Chen decided to return to Taiwan to contribute to the new fine arts movement. In 1934, he initiated the establishment of the Tai-Yang Art Society.
His existing works of art include Tanshui, Remembrance of Old Time, and Chiayi Park, all of which are kept at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung. After his death, his children established the Chen Cheng-Po Cultural Foundation which aims to improve the standard of fine arts in Taiwan.