By Zhu Guorong
Vice President and Chiew-Secretary of Shanghai Artists Assocation
April 2001

Mr. How Kah Cheng's oil paintings reveal a strong alien flavor of South East Asia, which can be sensed from the steamers and fishing vessels moored alongside the shore, or from the beaches with the tropic scenery, buildings, trees and flowers. Even the Great Wall wondering through the majestic mountains has its peculiar style. Mr. How has inherited the style of the Chinese traditional paintings. His art works, different from the western classical oil painting and the modern oil painting, conveys to the viewers a unique combination of Chinese and western artistic characteristics.

Mr. How Kah Cheng, born in Singapore in 1936, began his interest in fine arts when he was in a famous Singapore Chinese High School. Later, he continued his education in Singapore Nanyang University. While majoring in educational psychology, he was enthusiastic for drawing outdoors, climbing mountains and wading streams, through which he laid a solid foundation for his future career in fine arts, particularly for his huge length oil paintings.

As a professional artist, Mr. How held his personal painting exhibitions in Britain and Singapore with great success, and now he has gained an even higher artistic reputation than before.

Perhaps attracted by the alien social customs and scenic beauty in China, or perhaps impressed by the glamour of Chinese traditional ink arts, he has got a strong desire to hold his personal painting exhibition in China so as to promote the cooperative exchanges with the colleagues in China. I have really been moved by his cordial enthusiasm, and therefore very pleased to offer my help to have his wish fulfilled.

© Zhu Guorong

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