LOT 25
CHEN WEN HSI
B. China, 1906 – 1991
Sparrow Perched on A Banana Tree and Flowers
Ink and colour on paper
93 x 37 cm
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Signed and stamped with artist seal in Chinese on upper left
RM 28,000 – 42,000
Chen Wen Hsi’s Sparrow Perched on a Banana Tree and Flowers is a masterful example of the artist’s refined ink technique and his deep appreciation for the natural world. Executed with elegant brushstrokes and a harmonious composition, the painting captures a delicate sparrow resting amidst broad banana leaves and blooming flora, a scene imbued with vitality, balance, and poetic stillness. A pioneering figure in Singaporean modern art, Chen was celebrated for merging traditional Chinese ink painting with modern aesthetics. His depictions of birds, especially sparrows and gibbons, reflect not only technical precision but also a profound sensitivity to form and movement. In this work, the interplay between fluid lines and controlled washes exemplifies Chen’s ability to breathe life into his subjects with economy and grace. Sparrow Perched on a Banana Tree and Flowers is a timeless ode to nature, resonating with both visual beauty and quiet contemplation.