Meeting with Artists: Exploring the Face of the Land, Chen Sheng-Sung

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. During his return to Taiwan, besides giving lectures, he visited artists along both northern and southern routes. Every time he went to Kaohsiung, he would stop in Qiaotou to visit his old friend Chen Sheng-Sung. The deep bond between artists constructs our affection and love. Each reunion feels like meeting a confidant; each time, seeing the advancement of his art brings great comfort. There are endless topics of art and creation to discuss, leaving us wanting more. We always go to Gangshan for mutton hot pot, feeling fully satisfied, bringing back abundant artistic sentiment and truth, intoxicating one in the world of art with endless aftertaste. I sincerely bless my friend’s creative journey.

Chen Sheng-Sung wrote about Kandinsky’s famous quote: “When human civilization and artistic development face crisis, we must return to nature and relearn from it.” Thus, he walks into fields, by streams, and at the seaside, looking at the sky, clouds, and sunset, letting nature’s elements return to his own heart. Nature is generous and magnanimous; there is no need for prejudice or bias when facing it. The more humble and attentive you listen to its messages, the more inspiration you receive. Thus, art is no longer a question of abstraction versus figuration, nor avant-garde versus conservative; rather, mountains and forests represent those eternal, unchanging things in nature. (Note: Quote from Chen Sheng-Sung’s article, from the 2016 calendar of Nanhong German Home Brand)