Chen Cheng-Po Easel

The shared pride of Chiayi residents – painter Chen Cheng-Po! Mr. Chen Cheng-Po is an outstanding pioneering Taiwanese painter whose artworks have fetched over hundreds of millions of Taiwanese dollars at auction. His renowned painting 'Sunset at Tamsui' was sold for approximately NT$212 million at a Christie's auction in Hong Kong in 2007, setting the highest record for a Taiwanese painting at an international auction. Many of Mr. Chen Cheng-Po's works depict the landscapes and figures of his hometown, Chiayi, allowing its scenery and objects to be preserved and renowned worldwide through his artistic skill. In March of the 90th year of the Republic (2001), the Chen Cheng-Po Cultural Foundation provided nine replica oil paintings, which were erected in Chiayi Park. This marked the first time that oil paintings were integrated with a park's attractions in Taiwan, significantly enhancing the artistic atmosphere of Chiayi Park. Mr. Chen Cheng-Po possessed a noble character and exceptional artistic skill, making him the shared pride of Chiayi residents. While appreciating his artworks, let us once again pay tribute to Mr. Chen Cheng-Po. ．Chen Cheng-Po's Profile ‧Born in Chiayi in 1895 ‧Graduated from the Normal Department of the National Language School ‧Studied abroad at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (predecessor of Tokyo University of the Arts) in Japan ‧Specialized in Western painting for two years at the graduate institute of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, Japan ‧Moved to Shanghai in 1929 to serve as a professor and department head at an art academy. ‧Returned to Taiwan in 1933 ‧Founded the Taiyang Art Association in 1934 ‧Served as a member of the First Chiayi City Council in 1946 ‧Died in 1947 at the age of 53 due to the February 28 Incident. ‧In 1926, he created the large-scale oil painting 'Outside Chiayi Street,' which was selected for the 7th Imperial Art Exhibition in Japan. He was the first Taiwanese Western painter to be selected, bringing honor to Taiwanese people in Japanese society, and was subsequently selected multiple times. ‧In 1931, his work 'Clear Stream' was chosen as one of twelve contemporary painters at the First National Art Exhibition in Shanghai and represented Taiwan at the World's Fair in Chicago, USA. Attraction establishment: Erected and exhibited: Starting March 25, 2001 (90th year of the Republic)