TSAI YEN, WU (1911-2001)

“Sacred Goldfish” (c.1950)
Watercolour & gouache
Cm
Signed upper left
*collection of Sir Reginald William 
Colin Swartz (MP, MBE, Ed.)
*private collection, Cairns
 
Tsai Yen was an important, pioneering Singaporean Fingerpainter. He studied art at Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts in Shanghai from 1931-33, learning in bother Eastern & Western methology. In the early 20th century, there was 
vigorous debate about the future of Chinese art. Some advocated adoption of Western techniques in order to revive a moribund art form. Finger painting dated back to the Tang Dynasty (7th Century AD) and continued to be 
practised sporadically right up to the 20th century. With the guidance of his teacher Pan Tianshou (1898-1971) who was himself a gifted finger painter, Wu embarked on a journey that would take him around the world, in a life-long 
quest to master and promote the art of finger painting alongside contemporary, Chen Wen Hsi (1906-1991). He was also inspired by famous Chinese painter, Zhang Daqain (1899-1983). Using his bare hands in such a fashion afforded Wu a more direct means of expression. This was because his
fingers were in touch with the painting surface without the intervention of a tool such as the brush. In some cases, the fingers could achieve effects not possible with a brush. Wu was the first Asian Master to take fingerpainting abroad when he arrived in London in 1954. He established the San Yi Finger Painting Society in 1979, and raised significant amounts of money for charities and hospitals. He was awarded the Gold Star by the Singaporean Government 
in 1997. His works are represented in several Major National Galleries, such as the Singapore Art Museum. This work was presented to Sir Reginald William Colin Swartz (MP, MBE, Ed) by Lee Kok Han.