Artist

Fan Chang Tien-范昌乾

Chinese ink painting by Fan Chang Tien available for art collection

Fan Chang Tien - 范昌乾

About the artist

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Literati artist Fan Chang Tien was born in 1907 in Guandong’s Jieyang, China. After graduating from the Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts in Shanghai, in 1928, Fan then became a renowned artist in Guangdong China.

Fan taught art and ran an art school before the local Chinese government sent him to Thailand in 1947.

Fan devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work and his students, imparting the tradition of Chinese-ink painting and core values of Chinese culture to a generation of Singaporeans who later became distinguished artists and art teachers themselves. Fan taught and encouraged his students to follow their own individual passions. They included Nai Swee Leng, Lim Kay Hiong, Tan Oe Pang, Tan Siow Aik, Wong Pik Wan, Lee Soo Chee, Low Eng, Ng Yong Choon, Henri Chen Kezhan, and the late Lim Cher Eng, and the late Cultural Medallion awardee Chua Ek Kay.

Fan was instrumental in the flourishing of a new Shanghai School of Art here in Singapore by propagating its creativity and diversity. This is evident in the many different individual styles of contemporary ink works from his students. This ink art has a direct lineage from the Shanghai School of Art grandmaster Wu Chang Shuo (1844-1927) who modernized Chinese ink art by infusing radiant colours to the mainly black and white traditional ink paintings.

Fan was 49 years old when he arrived in Singapore in 1956. He married Madame Heng Siew Leng, a Singaporean midwife, who owned a popular maternity clinic in Balestier Road. She was capable, and supported Fan financially in the pursuit of his passion. She helped set up an art studio named ‘The Pure Orchid Studio’(素兰室) in Balestier Road, where Fan could teach Chinese-ink painting to young Singaporeans without charging any fees.

During the 31 years he spent in Singapore, Fan was not interested in fame or self-promotion. In his poems, he would often describe his sentiments, philosophy and outlook in life.

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The-Apprentice-Monk

范昌乾

（1907-1987）

范昌乾（1907－1987）是我国第一代具有代表性的艺术先驱画家。于1928年毕业上海新华艺术大学，1929年进入上海昌明艺术专科学校， 他受教于王个簃，王一亭，潘天寿等名师。他1956年移居新加坡，一生从事美术教学工作，为本地培养了无数美术人才。正可谓桃李满天下，他为新加坡艺坛做出了巨大贡献。范先生1987年因病与世长辞，享年80岁。

范先生用毕生精力钻研绘画与书法。他多才多艺，天生聪明，再加上勤学苦练，他的绘画风格独特。他的书法诗词更是精妙。无论山水，花鸟，在画面布局中多数配一手好书法，一首好诗，诗的内容和画的题材相配，画家用诗寄托当时的情感。诗配画，画中诗，诗画互映，真是绝妙。欣赏范先生的作品，我们需要投入仔细观赏。他笔下的山水壮观雄伟，层次分明。远 山近水，树木茅舍都刻画精细，用干墨搓笔画出山石质感，他所画的景象令人神往。范先生笔下的竹，兰，菊，梅，八哥，芦雁等花鸟作品各具神韵，各具意境。他画的竹就是一绝，号称“竹王”。因为范先生家中庭园种竹，他日日观察，看竹画竹，必然“胸有成竹”。范先生的墨竹最具特色，竹竿挺直，竹叶迎风摆动，飒飒作响，笔法潇洒刚劲，画出了竹不弯不曲的气魄。

我在艺术圈内朋友那儿找到一本1989年国家美术馆出版的《 范昌乾画册 》，拜读了范先生的入室弟子林子影和陈有炳缅怀恩师的文章，又在另一本书读到范先生弟子蔡逸溪的文章，从他们的文章中了解到范先生谦虚，勤劳，豁达，为人慷慨。他们回忆恩师对他们的帮助，令人感动。范先生的这些学生在我国画坛都已赫赫有名，这些学生承蒙恩师言传身教，范先生对学生要求严格，亲自挥毫示范，不遗余力，毫不保留地把绘画技巧绝活都传给学生，学生们在他的指导下都打下了扎实的绘画基础，范先生笔名为“园丁”－园丁是栽培花园花草树木之人，范先生正是这样的园丁，不图名利，辛勤耕耘，栽培了无数新生命－艺术生命。

我自幼在国外长大，我的父母都是从事绘画工作。我父亲是中国著名山水画家刘国，我从小看父母画画，对绘画非常喜爱，我时常看画展，翻画册。久而久之也积累了艺术鉴赏力。记得2012年我在朋友的画廊里看到了范昌乾作品，作品是竹石图，那是我正在拍卖行工作，对好的作品非常敏感，我马上查阅各种资料，寻找有关范昌乾的介绍，以及他生前的一些活动记载。我知道这个画家是传承海派水墨的代表人物，他为海派传承作出重大贡献。通过欣赏范昌乾的精湛水墨作品和书法，还有读到为画撰写的诗赋，范昌乾真是一代文人画大师。我们从藏家那里收集了范昌乾早期作品，于2013年11月我们Asia Art Collective 举办了范昌乾遗作展，展览非常成功，得到了艺术界专业人士的好评，作品90%售出，受到了收藏家的青睐。在展览期间遇到了范昌乾的家人，在他的家人支持下我们又做了几次海派传承的展览，展览作品包括了范昌乾和他的入室弟子，这几次展览让人们了解范昌乾艺术，了解范昌乾在海派传承上作出的贡献。

我们接下来会定期举办范昌乾艺术鉴赏，邀请艺术爱好者和收藏家前来汇集一堂，畅谈中国传统艺术，把中国水墨艺术发扬光大。

Asia Art Collective 呈现范昌乾遗作鉴赏，聚集了范昌乾具

代表性的作品，丰富的题材包含竹，兰，石，梅，菊，荷花，八哥，鹰，麻雀，芦雁等作品。

Iola Liu刘婉婷

+65 90056716

November 2020

Visual Arts Centre & Asia Art Collective

Fan Chang Tien Biography 范昌乾简介

范昌乾在1907年12月22日生于揭阳县炮台镇范厝村。1923年就读汕头艺术师范学校，毕业后，考入上海新华艺术大学国画系，1928年毕业于该校。1929年进入上海昌明艺术专科学校攻读国画研究科。受教于王个簃、王一亭、潘天寿、诸闻韵诸名师。从1931至50年代，范昌乾曾居汕头、香港及曼谷。1931年起，先后于潮安韩山师院、揭阳县立第一中学、潮阳东山师范任教，1934年与黄裳、黄维成、张敬等人创立鸵江瀛寰艺术学校，并任校长三年。1937年，组织艺涛画社，并与孙裴谷、刘昌潮等几位名家一起征画合印《岭东名家画集》。同年，受聘香港华南中学，积极参加绥远救灾义展，并出版早期《范昌乾画册》，由王一亭题签。同年在广州市民众教育馆举办个人画展。之后，范昌乾先生在揭阳真理中学和揭阳师范学校及汕头岩光中学任教。1945年日军投降后，范先生举办了劳军义展，捐出200件画作。抗日胜利后，揭阳县有识之士为修缮孔庙及建筑校舍，决定派人赴海外募捐。时范先生任简易师范学校艺术教师，名声卓著．信用素孚，遂被公推为募捐主任。于1948年抵达泰京，时值我国内战频仍，范先生不得已便留在曼谷光华学校任教数载。1954年，于泰京出版由艺术大师张大千题签的《范昌乾画集》。在五十年代后期范昌乾开始定居新加坡。1957年至1959年任职中正总校，1963年复任黄埔中学美术导师教职，至1968年退休。从六十年代起，范先生开始指导学生，栽培了数十位优秀弟子。其中很多学生成为了当今著名的画家，包括林子影，赖瑞龙，林家雄，蔡逸溪，陈有炳，陈克湛等画家。华翰书画研究会创立于1973年，会员多位范先生的学生。华翰书画研究会的成立和后来的展览，鉴证范昌乾日后在艺术的贡献，对艺术与教学的热忱、执着。

 

Upcoming exhibition: 31 Oct-2 Nov 2025 <THE PRIVATE ART SALE II>

The Private Art Sales 2 Singapore Asia Art Collective

From 31 October to 2 November 2025, collectors and art enthusiasts will have an exclusive opportunity to experience Yeo Hoe Koon’s legacy at The Private Art Sale 2:

📍 Location: Artspace @ Helutrans, 39 Keppel Road, #01-05, Singapore
📅 Dates: 31 October 4pm-8pm (VIP Preview) | 1-2 November 10am-8pm (Public Viewing)
⏰ Time: 11:00am – 8:00pm daily

This highly anticipated event will present more than 100 carefully curated artworks offered at 20%–80% below current market prices, providing collectors with a rare chance to obtain meaningful pieces of Singapore’s art history while engaging deeply with the artist’s legacy.

Click here to enquire for E-catalogue & RSVP your attendance!

About us – Asia Art Collective

For years, Asia Arts Collective is an advisory and consultancy specialised in Singapore and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art. Professional art services include providing clients with art advice on Mo Ni’s artwork purchase and sales, Mo Ni’s artwork valuation and assessment, art acquisition and collection planning, Mo Ni’s artworks sale and brokerage, as well as art commissioning and artwork sourcing. Asia Art Collective seeks to promote a culture of art appreciation and Mo Ni’s artworks acquisition and collection for Singapore art, modern and contemporary Asian art through its diverse and rotating art exhibitions and art appreciation programmes, courses and talks. Enquire with Asia Art Collective for advice and support and on your art-collecting journey.
Contact curator for artwork consultancy & viewing of Mo Ni’s artworks:

WhatsApp& Call : 62550711 (Office) & 67332155 (Office), 90056716 (Iola Liu), 92398226 (Iola Liu)

Email: [email protected]

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The Private Art Sale II

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Academy Drawing Traditions
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Agree Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions – Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party (Saturday Sessions Only)

  1. Participation
    • Participation in the Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party is voluntary. By participating, all participants acknowledge that they understand and accept the nature of the activities and agree to participate at their own risk.
  2. Health & Safety
    • The event takes place in an outdoor festival environment featuring bright lighting effects, flashing lights, amplified music, and high sound levels, which may not be suitable for individuals who are sensitive to light, sound, or have related medical conditions.
    • Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically fit to participate in the activities.
  3. Colour Blast Party
    • The Colour Blast Party uses coloured cornflour powder.
    • By participating in the Colour Blast Party, participants confirm that they:
      • Do not have any known allergy or sensitivity to cornflour, corn, coloured powder, or similar materials.
      • Do not suffer from asthma, respiratory conditions, or any medical condition that may be aggravated by airborne powder.
      • Understand the nature of the activity and voluntarily choose to participate.
  4. Face & Body Painting
    • Optional face and/or body painting may be available during the event.
    • Participants choosing to receive face or body painting confirm that they have no known allergies or skin conditions that may be affected by cosmetic or body paint products. Participants with sensitive skin are advised to refrain from participating.
  5. Assumption of Risk
    • Participants acknowledge that participation in the event, including but not limited to art jamming, the Colour Blast Party, face and/or body painting, and related activities, carries inherent risks, including accidental slips, falls, minor injuries, allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, or other unforeseen incidents.
  6. Indemnity and Release
    • By participating in the event, participants agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to release, discharge, and indemnify Visual Arts Centre, CHIJMES, their respective officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, partners, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, injuries, or actions arising out of or in connection with participation in the event, except where such claims arise directly from the negligence or wilful misconduct of the organisers.
  7. Personal Responsibility
    • Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and should exercise reasonable care while participating. Appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for an outdoor event are recommended.
  8. Organiser's Rights
    • Visual Arts Centre and CHIJMES reserve the right to refuse participation or remove any participant whose behaviour is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or poses a risk to others. The organisers also reserve the right to modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel the event due to weather, safety concerns, or unforeseen circumstances.

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Terms & Conditions For All Course/Workshop(s) at Visual Arts Centre (VAC):