Chen Bing Sun (Chinese: 陳明勳; pinyin: Chén Míngxūn; 1914 − 8 January 1988) was a Chinese-Filipino playwright, artist and song writer. He became known as the Father of Chinese Brush Painting in the Philippines.[1]

Chen came from Shanghai, he was educated at School of Hanzhou in 1930, and then at the State University of KiWang Wan in 1932 and the Shanghai School of Arts in 1936.[2]

He married the actress Ouyang Feiying (歐陽飛鶯, real name Wu Jingjuan 吳靜娟) in Xiamen while he was awaiting a visa to visit Philippines.[3] He planned to tour with the "Star Theatre", but the communist revolution happened in mainland China, and he did not return.[3] He moved to the Philippines and was a professor at the University of the Philippines.[4] His style is a combination of Tang and Sung.[4] In his teaching there were four stages. Firstly simpler flora such as bamboo, primrose and orchid were taught. The second stage was copying peony, birds and fish. The third stage was landscape and humans. The final fourth stage was composition.[4] He painted many horse pictures.[5]

He became a believer in Jesus Christ, and as a result of this included verses from the bible on each of his paintings. This became a characteristic of his art.[1] He became a deacon at the Grace Christian Church in Manila.[6]

In 1974 he composed a cantata titled Song of Wisdom with 6 songs: Do not know, Fear of the Lord, blessing, stay away from crime, rest and Song of Wisdom.[3][7]

His students included Thuy Lien,[8] Fernanado Zobel[9] Nicki Chen[10] Jamaliah Marais,[11] Cissy Gray,[12] Homoon Wollock Chung Youn,[13] Hiroko Thomson,[14] Heidi Uhlig,[15] Abigail Reeder Nazareth,[16] and Elizabeth Ann B. Quirico.[17]

Patrons included George Ty from Metrobank, and Alfredo Ching the owner of Baguio Oil.[18]

He taught at Grace Christian High School. Later he opened the Chinese Artists' Guild in 1958.[19] He remained director in 1972.[20]

Chen also designed book covers, drew anti-communist cartoons, worked as a journalist for a Taiwanese newspaper. He was the first Chinese chief delegate to the 1960 UNESCO Convention.[2]

He had children Angela Claudia, Deanna, Edward, Florence, Grace and Henry named in alphabetical order.[6] He died in 1988 after an illness.[19] He had cancer.[21]

Exhibitions

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References

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  1. ^ a b Navasero, Mandy (8 November 2013). "Brush Paintings with a Message". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Fine Brush Art". Philippine Panorama. 14 July 1974. p. 26.
  3. ^ a b c "谷區國語浸信會 - 古今聖詩漫談" (in Chinese). Mandarin Baptist Church of San Fernando Valley. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Limbo, Ma Salva (1977). "Chen's art". Manila Times 1977.
  5. ^ Lieuson, Miriam (June 17 – July 7, 2014). "Chen Bing Sun: A legacy of art". Fortnighly Tulay Chinese-Filipino Digest. p. 26-27. Archived from the original on 2021-07-27.
  6. ^ a b "They're in Art Chen Bing Sun & Annie Woo Chen". Mr & Mrs Magazine. 28 September 1976.
  7. ^ "陳明勳教授創作的「敬畏耶和華」 - 平步青云 - PChome 個人新聞台". Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  8. ^ "About the Artist". Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  9. ^ Metropolitan Museum of Manila flyer 15 May 1987
  10. ^ "Chinese Brush Painting". Behind the Story across the ocean and back with Nicki Chen. 13 October 2013.
  11. ^ "About the Artist". Oriental Expressions with Jamaliah Marais.
  12. ^ "One thing leads to another". 17 October 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  13. ^ Park, Jeong-jun (12 July 2012). "Homoon "Wollock" Chung's Brush Painting". Korea IT Times. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  14. ^ "Hiroko Thomson". Hana Coast Gallery - Maui Art Gallery featuring Herb Kane Art and other local artists. Cultural Hawaiian Art Gallery in Hawaii.
  15. ^ "Shop art by Heidi Uhlig - 3 artworks for sale on Bluethumb". bluethumb.com.au.
  16. ^ "About Abigail Reeder Nazareth". Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Color and Cook: Filipino Food Coloring Book". HapaMama. 2 August 2016.
  18. ^ a b "when art is more than just art-'his legacy our heritage'". Malaya Business Insight. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f DZFE Mod (21 October 2013). "Remembering "The Father of Chinese Painting in the Philippines"". Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  20. ^ Chinese Painting: The Chinese Artists' Guild, Manila 1972. Manila. 1972.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  21. ^ "From art to heart: Keeping a legacy alive" (PDF). Asian Journal Digital. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  22. ^ "Rice Terraces". Bulletin Today. Manila. 10 October 1974.
  • Lorando, G (30 May 1974). "Chinese Painting: An experience Never too Alien". Express Week. p. 54.
  • Benesa, Leonardas V. (29 June 1977). "Professor Chen's 30 Years of Chinese Art". Philippines Daily Express. p. 21.
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