Chen Wen Hsi, Sparrows and Bamboo, 1980s

Chinese ink and colour on paper
33 x 43.5 cm (unframed)
Condition: Good, previously restored, with a small puncture hole to the top left.

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Chen Wen Hsi (1906-1991) was a prominent Singaporean artist known for his innovative blend of traditional Chinese and modern Western painting styles. Born in Guangdong, China, he studied at the Shanghai College of Fine Arts and moved to Singapore in 1949. A key figure in the Nanyang art movement, Chen's work is celebrated for its dynamic brushwork and diverse subjects. He also taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, leaving a lasting impact on Singapore’s art scene. His legacy lives on through his celebrated works and contributions to art education.

This painting depicts a small group of sparrows perched amid slender bamboo stems. The work radiates spontaneity, grace, and balance —all hallmarks of Chen’s mature style.

Each sparrow, rendered with deft, minimal strokes, reveals a remarkable liveliness and individuality, while the sparse bamboo branches frame the composition with rhythmic harmony. The interplay between controlled brushwork and expressive freedom speaks to Chen’s synthesis of traditional Chinese ink aesthetics with a modern, personal sensibility.

Chen Wen Hsi’s bird and bamboo paintings are among the most beloved in his oeuvre, embodying both scholarly refinement and poetic vitality. This piece demonstrates the artist’s deep understanding of the “spirit” (氣韻) of his subjects — a quality that makes his works timeless and deeply resonant.

Acquired directly from the artist in the 1980s.

(Photographed in October 2025)