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Courtesy of Goshen Art Gallery
Young Ones Values & Virtues Courtesy of Goshen Art Gallery
Traces of the Past: Solo Exhibition
by Monica Chua Courtesy of Goshen Art Gallery
Van Gogh’s Bridge (France) Caravan (Holland)
To realise her dream, she took up Japanese and enrolled in NAFA’s art course to learn the basics of drawing human figures and still life. However, her application for a Fashion Design scholarship in Japan failed, which led her to embark on another art journey. From 1973-78, she starting learning calligraphy from Master See Hiang Tuo (1906 – 1990) and Chinese brush painting from renowned Chinese painter Fan Chang Tien (1907 – 1987). She worked very hard to improve her skills. “Master Fan Chang Tien treated me very well. He didn’t acquire any fees from me; instead, he asked me to tutor his daughter Mathematics in return,” says Monica. Since 1974, to earn her living, she has been teaching children art and adults brushpainting. Her students are Westerners as well as Japanese. She reveals, “I gave tuition to earn my living while studying art. I was not a lavish person, thus I did not require lots of money. I lived a simple life, and I did what I love doing.” Her learning journey did not end here. In the early ‘80s, she went back to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) to study portrait sculpture. And in 1987, she enrolled in the China Central Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing to master Chinese brush painting, specialising in figure and portrait painting. She took careful steps to acquire her craft in painting. Even now, she is still searching further to improve her skills. “Besides interest, painting requires patience and hardwork,” she points out. “Life is short; don’t complain. Be content, and do what you like,” she adds.
A Twist of Fate
In 1990, Monica had a space in Orchard Road’s Emerald Shopping Centre, where visitors would drop by to have some Chinese characters or portraits painted. Monica met her Dutch husband when he visited her stall and requested Monica to write the Chinese character ‘fu’ (meaning good luck). The good luck sign indeed bestowed a twist of fate in Monica’s destiny. In 1996, they got married in America. Both of them love travelling and admir-
ing nature. They would visit art museums and have travelled all across America, Canada and many European countries – and Monica would use pencil and watercolour to sketch and paint whatever she finds attractive along the road. “Travelling through our life, we will encounter wind and rain, ups and downs. Breathe fresh air and feel nature in its grass and trees. Oh the world is so beautiful,” writes Monica in her book ‘Travels Through a Beautiful World’.
Wild Pheasant (USA) Li Yen/Epoch Times
Arts Appreciation
Speaking on the importance of art to mankind, Monica points out that we would be happier if we knew how to appreciate art, for it could help adjust our moods and make us feel relaxed. “A nice painting could comfort you when you are feeling down. Some would arouse your feelings and thoughts and some would evoke your memories. Paintings represent artists’ feelings, thoughts and their lives,” shares Monica. Indeed, fine art was first recorded as “[that] which [appeals] to the mind and imagination”. While art appreciation is a very personal thing, Monica mentions that the ability to appreciate paintings would also depend on one’s education level. She feels that nowadays, people are more capable of appreciating art. “Now, people are able to develop their interest in art. In the past, they are more than satisfied by just having enough food and a bit of entertainment. While spiritual life was not considered to be important, people do need to have the kind of spiritual pursuit to be able to appreciate art. Otherwise, paintings could be perceived as a mere piece of paper,” says Monica.
Leaving a Legacy
It is said that the oldest painting could be dated back to approximately 40,000 years ago. Artists could leave their moments of life in the form of paintings and let them be passed on. One of Monica’s previous students once said: “Beauty is evanescent while art is lasting.” “Sometimes, I feel time is not enough, as there are so many things I want to do. When seeing some friends pass away one by
Portrait of a French countryside girl Courtesy of Goshen Art Gallery
Beautiful Window (Germany)
one, I feel that I do not have enough time left. I need to be more diligent and do what I have always wanted to do. Like for the portraits I have done, I want to compile them into a book,” says Monica. “I also hope to be more innovative and create my own style, so that when others see my painting, they could tell it’s done by me. I would choose themes that I like to work on, for the time left is not much. I hope I still can paint when I’m 90,” Monica adds. The spirited painter has the following advice for young artists: “Even though working with computers is convenient, to do well in painting, solid foundations are still required. Effort still needs to be put in and skills (need) to be practised. When copying others’ work, try to learn from his/her experience, but don’t just follow. You need to have your own style. Only then can you create your own things.”
This November, Goshen Art Gallery is presenting 30 pieces of Monica Chua’s original art works in ink and water colour, painted during her years of travel through America, Canada, central Europe and Asia. Monica’s favourite painting in this exhibition is ‘Van Gogh’s Bridge’. “In 1994, I stood there for four hours to draw this bridge, and there were lots of insects,” she says with a chuckle. Faith Lum, partner of Goshen Art Gallery, adds: “This exhibition, to me, is just like a window: we have a glimpse of her life; she’s happy in life. She’s been living a peaceful life with her husband, travelling around, having her husband supporting her fully for her career. “What I like is the simplicity of it, just capturing the moment. We are actually capturing using our phones, but she is really drawing out, through her eyes. You can see the details of it. She also inculcated her own style and her imagination into it.” Monica Chua also specialises in portrait sketching. At the exhibition, Monica will sketch portraits for its visitors. Enter the beautiful world of Monica Chua from 7 - 28 Nov 2015 at Goshen Art Gallery! Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 12.30 – 7pm Venue: Goshen Art Gallery, 150 Orchard Road, #03-61, Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841 Admission: Free When: 7 - 28 Nov 2015 Goshen Art Gallery has a rich heritage in art curation. As a passionate art collector, we bridge cultures, philosophies, beliefs, messages and imagination through fine paintings, sculptures and art installations. Besides hosting monthly art exhibitions, art commissioning, interior wall designing and corporate client art engagement, we also believe in nurturing talents and providing a platform for them to reach their audiences. Goshen Art Gallery is honoured to be able to enrich the community with valuable art works and to be a trusted consultant for our clients.
November 6–19, 2015 25