Journey in Art – Where East meets West, Singapore Artist Fan Shao Hua 新加坡著名艺术家范少华专访

Cultures and ethnicities are two important factors influencing how an Artist creates. Singapore, being a country that sits between East and West, is a great place for an artist to get in touch with different cultures, people and ethnicities!

The essence of culture derived from authentic ethnicity are important factors that influence how an Artist views the world, and as such creates in response to that stimuli.

Singapore Artist Fan Shao Hua was born in 1963 in Guangzhou, China, he graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. After a successful career in Guangzhou, he decided to move to Singapore to experience the diversity of culture which subsequently brought his art career to greater heights.

Besides being the prestigious winner of ‘Painting of the Year Award’ at the 19th UOB Painting of the Year Competition in 2000 and International Premium Oil Painting Artist Award in Hong Kong, Mr Fan has through the years won numerous art awards and held many exhibitions overseas – Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Paris.

Mr Fan is also the member of Singapore Art Society, Society of Chinese Artists and Japan Modern Arts Association, and been featured in a number of publications such as Mondial Collections Art in Asia, Straits Times Singapore, American International Artist Magazines and Channel News Asia.

Awards

• 2017 Asian Art Award, Korea Culture Art Research Institute, Korea
• 2008 International Premium Oil Painting Award, Hong Kong World Class Artist Committee, Hong Kong
• 2007 Finalist/Excellent Award (Tongshan Grandfather), Art Prize Challenge (People and Figures), International Artist Magazine, United States
• 2007 International Culture Art Fair Award, International Culture Association of Korea, Seoul
• 2006 Award of Excellence, The 40^th International Culture Art Exhibition, Korea
• 2006 Finalist/Excellent Award (Qui Qui), Art Prize Challenge (Flowers and Garden), International Artist Magazine, United States
• 2004 Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award (Western Representational Painting), 55^th SAS Annual Exhibition
• 2003 Honorable Mention (Chinese Ink Painting), ASEAN Art Award, Singapore
• 2002 Highly-commended, Traditional Chinese Medium Open Section, 21^st UOB Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 2001 Daytime selected in Philip Morris Art Prize
• 2001 Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Chinese Ink Painting & Calligraphy Open Competition, Singapore
• 2000 Winner, The 19^th UOB Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 2000 Certification of Commendation (Chinese Ink Painting), Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Singapore
• 2000 Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award (Representational)
• 2000 Highly-commended, Representational Medium, The 19^th United Overseas Bank Painting of the Year Competition, Singapore
• 1999 National Level Winning Entry, Winsor & Newton Worldwide, Millennium Painting Competition, Singapore
• 1999 Certificate of Recognition, Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore Art Award, Singapore
• 1999 Certification of Distinction, The UOB 18^th Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 1998 3^rd Prize, Singapore Sports Council 25^th Anniversary Celebration Art Competition, Singapore
• 1998 Distinction Award (Chinese Ink Painting), Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award Competition
• 1998 Highly Commended, the 17^th UOB Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 1998 Merit Award, Cairnhill Community Club’s Art, Quest Nationawide Painting Competition, Singapore
• 1997 Certificate for Recognition, ASEAN Art Awards, Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore
• 1997 Best Entry Award (Representational Category), Singapore Telecom’s Expressions in Art Competition, Singapore
• 1997 Merit Award, Outram Park Community Club, National Day Youth Art Exhibition
• 1996 Certificate of Commendation, The 15^th UOB Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 1992 Certificate of Commendation, The 11^th UOB Painting of the Year Competition, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 1991 Bronze Award, Guangdong Province’s 70^th Communist Party Anniversary Art Competition
• 1991 Excellent Award, Second Guangzhou Art Expo Month
• 1989 Selected Works ‘Fruit’ and ‘I’ won Guangdong Province Excellence Arts Award
• 1989 First Prize, Guangzhou City Art Exhibition

The Lotus flower

In traditional Chinese Culture, the lotus flower is often seen as a depiction of purity, compassion and spiritual awakening. It grows in murky water. It gives rise to the flower’s most literal meaning and that is: rising, awakening and blooming above the muck of the world and all its sufferings to achieve enlightenment and contentment.

Fan Shao Hua choses this flower to be one of his featured series, his Lotus paintings are not meant to be mere visual recording of flora beauty. In his Lotus paintings, the contradiction between beauty and mud, serenity and muck, are reflective of the chaotic reality in the human kind. His paintings demonstrate an integration of east and west, incorporating the Chinese brush-stroke technique with the painterly way of western art.

Fan Shao Hua’s lotus series were collected by CapitaLand Group and displayed in Captaland Offices.
For more details, please refer https://www.capitaland.com/international/en/art-at-capitaland/our-artists/fan-shao-hua.html

Hua Feng Creative Space for Fine Arts

As an artist, Fan Shao Hua is constantly experimenting and evolving, he fuses realism with his creative ideas and representational art in his artistic expressions. He exploits generously both the Chinese technique of ‘ink splash’ and ‘creased paper background’, and the Western tradition of representational art techniques in many of his compositions. The artistic style where East meets West is extensively applied to various subjects and art forms which in “The Lotus”, “The Nude”, “The Landscape” and “The Abstract” series of his paintings. Fan Shao Hua continues to push the boundary of blending Chinese and Western techniques in his art and one can only wait in great anticipation for his future creations.

写实和抽象

在范少华先生的艺术创作当中，写实和抽象两种风格双轨运行，相互补充，相得益彰，在范少华先生看来，艺术家能够打破常规，创造出具有独立思考和见解的作品才能够在艺术史上存世，继赵无极，朱德群与吴冠中之后，范少华先生将探索油画东方化，水墨画现代化的进程，开拓属于他自己的写意油画风格。

写意荷花系列

范少华选择以荷花为创作中心，通过对荷花形态的观察，汲取荷花在生活中的形象作为探索目标，在荷花系列的创作中，范少华结合东方与西方的画法，使得荷花展现出一种似真似幻的梦幻感觉，在荷花系列的画面构图也体现出范少华在创作时情感意识的流动，在画布上完美的体现出来！范少华以传统彩墨画的形式进行油画创作，以油画的形式进行彩墨画创作，此两种媒介的交叉互动是其荷花系列创作的独特特色。但是以传统彩墨画的形式进行油画创作以及以油画的形式进行彩墨画创作，呈现出东西方画法的融合，其中体现出来的不只是画法的精湛造诣，而更多的是范少华本人所处的生活环境，生活在新加坡的范少华将南洋生活以及对新加坡的情感融入于创作中，让整个荷花系列展现洋溢出与众不同的艺术品味。

范少华先生的写意油画荷花系列作品，追求色彩的自由律动，线条流畅优美，具有诗意和文心观照的境界。

梵高用炽热的情怀笔调表现向日葵，范少华先生用梦幻圣洁的意念去表达荷花，一东一西不同艺术元素创造艺坛的心灵之花。

艺术上成熟往往不在于技术的新颖与理念的惊世，艺术上的成熟更多的是艺术家自身的气质融入到了他们的艺术创作其中，并且在艺术表现的过程中不断上升，这就是成熟的标志，范少华先生的作品就是他艺术成熟的完美体现，

在谈到范少华先生的人像画时，范先生表示人像画的描绘可以表现当今芸芸众生的精神面貌和心理特征，在表现这方面的层面上写实主义是独具魅力的！

Gallery Representation 

• Ode To Art
• Goshen Art Gallery
• Dynasties Antique and Art Gallery
• Asia Art Collective
• Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery
• Eagle’s Eye Art Gallery
• Beyond Colours
• Sun Craft Fine Art Gallery
• Yang Gallery

Art Education

• 1985 BA in Fine Arts, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, China
• 1981 Selected into the High School of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts

Teaching Experience

• 2001 Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
• 1989 – 1992 Guangzhou University, Guangdong, China
• 1985 – 1991 Oil Painting Department, Guangdong Huanan Art University

Art Society Membership

• Singapore Modern Art Society
• Singapore Society of Chinese Artist
• Singapore Art Society
• China Artists Association, Guangdong Branch
• Guangzhou Artist Society
• Japan Modern Arts Association

Solo Exhibition

• 2015 Journey in Art – Retrospective by Fan Shao Hua, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
• 2014 Fan Shao Hua : Lotus Solo Exhibition, Jianzhenhui Gallery, Guangzhou, China
• 2013 Solo Exhibition by Fan Shao Hua, 17^th Shanghai Art Fair, Shanghai, China
• 2013 Essence – Life by Fan Shao Hua, Osaka, Japan
• 2011 Fan Shao Hua : Lotus Series in Oil Exhibition, Guancheng Art Museum, Guangdong, China
• 2010 Fan Shao Hua Painting Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Bejing, China
• 2010 Essence – Life II by Fan Shao Hua, Shanghai Art Museum, Shanghai, China
• 2009 Fan Shao Hua Lotus Exhibition, Shanghai Lyceum Mansion Clubhouse
• 2009 14^th Guangzhou International Art Fair, Guangdong, China
• 2009 Fan Shao Hua Solo Art Exhibition, Singapore International Art Fair 2009, Singapore
• 2008 Renowed Singaporean Painter – Fan Shao Hua’s Oil Painting, Hong Kong
• 2008 Watercolours by Fan Shao Hua, Seoul, Korea
• 2007 New Landscapes by Fan Shao Hua, ARTrium MICA Building, Singapore
• 2007 Essence – Life by Fan Shao Hua, Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangdong, China
• 2007 Ink Lotus Solo Exhibition by Fan Shao Hua, Seoul, Korea
• 2007 Moments by Fan Shao Hua, Ode to Art Gallery, Singapore
• 2003 Life in Lion City by Fan Shao Hua, Tanjong Pagar Community Club, Singapore
• 2003 Moments of Eternity by Fan Shao Hua, Alliance Francaise, Singapore
• 2002 Portraiture by Fan Shao Hua, Tanjong Pagar Community Club, Singapore
• 2001 City Scenes of Singapore by Fan Shao Hua, United Overseas Bank, Singapore
• 2000 Passion – Old Scenes of Singapore by Fan Shao Hua, Cape of Good Hope, Singapore
• 1994 Watercolour and Oil Painting Exhibition by Fan Shao Hua, Riverwalk Art Centre, Singapore
• 1993 Solo Exhibition by Fan Shao Hua, Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
• 1992 Solo Exhibition by Fan Shao Hua, Singapore Art Fair, World Trade Centre, Singapore

Group Exhibitions

• 2015 Impartation of the Arts – Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, Tiong Bahru Arts Centre, Singapore
• 2014 Convergence, Asia Art Collective, ION Art Gallery, Singapore
• 2012 International Watercolour Exhibition of Asia
• 2009 History of the Human Spirit: Survival through the ages, Eagle’s Eye Art Gallery, Singapore
• 2009 Landmarks, Taipei : 19 Singapore Artists Exhibition, The Society of Chinese Artists, Black Earth Art Museum, Singapore
• 2009 43^rd International Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
• 2009 Nanyang in Paris, Lim Hak Tai Gallery, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
• 2009 Remade, Relived: Modern Art in Singapore, Galleries 1 & 2, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
• 2009 The Call of the Tradition, Singapore Art Show09, Black Earth Art Museum, Singapore
• 2009 21^st Asia Watercolour Exhibition, Tianjin, China
• 2009 Japan Modern Fine Arts Exhibition, Osaka, Japan
• 2008 Liquid Passion – MASS Annual Show 2008, Modern Art Society of Singapore, MICA Building, Singapore
• 2008 Contemporary Asian Art, Ode to Art, Singapore
• 2008 42^nd International Culture Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
• 2008 Asia Passion by Singapore Artists, Mei He Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
• 2008 23^rd Asian International Art Exhibition 2008, University City Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Guangzhou, China
• 2007 Singapore Art Exhibition, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
• 2007 48^th International Culture Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
• 2007 Pastel Art Exhibition, National Library, Singapore
• 2007 Singapore Art Show, Singapore
• 2007 22^nd Asian International Art Exhibition, Bandung, Indonesia
• 2006 Asian International Art Exhibition, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
• 2006 Asia Pacific, Paintings and Calligraphers Exhibition, Singapore
• 2006 The 40^th International Culture Art Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
• 2006 18^th Asia Watercolour Painting Alliance Exhibition, Hsin-Ying, Kaohsiung, Taidong, Taiwan
• 2005 19^th Asian International Art Exhibition, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan
• 2005 4^th Malaysia-Singapore Chinese Art Exchange Exhibition, Singapore
• 2005 et cetera, Modern Art Society, Singapore
• 2005 17^th Asia International Watercolour 2015, Singapore
• 2004 Fan Shao Hua, Chng Seok Tin, Chua Art Exhibition at the International City of Arts, Paris, France
• 2004 Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Western Representational Painting, 55^th SAS Annual Exhibition Singapore
• 2003 Annual Exhibition, Modern Art Society, Singapore
• 2003 18^th Asian International Art, Heritage Museum, Hong Kong
• 2003 Fan Shao Hua & Students 2003, Tanjong Pagar Community Club, Singapore
• 2002 Chinese Cultural Festival, Chinese Brush and Calligraphy, Singapore
• 2002 2^nd Malaysia-Singapore Ink Painting Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore
• 2002 21^st Modern Art Association Exhibition 2002, Osaka, Japan
• 2002 Urban Artists Singapore : 15 Youth Artist Joint Exhibition, Atrium, MICA Building, Singapore
• 2002 Singapore Art Exhibition. Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore
• 2002 Fan Shao Hua & Students’ Oil Painting Exhibition, Singapore
• 2000 Untrammelled Harmony of Tradition and Innovation : Artworls by 9 Artists from Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, Paragon, Singapore
• 2000 My Country in the Year 2000, WInsor & Newton Worldwide Millennium Painting Competition, England , USA, France
• 2000 Kacang Puteh : Art Exhibition on Small Works by 51 Young Artists, Singapore
• 2000 Passion : Old Scene of Singapore, Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery, Paragon, Singapore
• 2000 Singapore Art Exhibition, Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore
• 1999 Nokia Singapore Art
• 1999 Singapore Art Exhibition, Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore
• 1999 Singapore Turf Club Art Competition, Singapore
• 1997 Singapore Art Exhibition, Philip Morris Group of Companies, Singapore
• 1997 Singapore Art Contemporary Exhibition, Singapore
• 1995 Singapore Chinese Teacher’s Union : Local Art Exhibition & Charity Sales Contemporary Art
• 1995 Inter-Region Famous Ceramics Masters Arts Exhibition
• 1991 Second Guandong Province Art Expo Month, Guangzhou City Art Exhibition
• 1991 Guangdong Province’s 70^th Communist Party Anniversary Art Exhibition & Competition, Guangdong, China
• 1990 Guangdong Folk Scenery and Custom Art Exhibition, Guangdong, China
• 1989 Guangdong Province Excellence Arts Award Exhibition, Guangdong, China
• 1989 Guangdong Art Exhibition, Guangdong, China
• 1989 Guangzhou City Art Exhibition & Competition, Guandong, China
• 1989 Seventh National Fine Art Exhibition, Beijing, China
• 1989 Third National Health and Living Photography Art Exhibition, Beijing, China
• 1988 Making Guangdong Green Art Exhibtion, National Museum of China, Beijing, China
• 1988 First Guangzhou City Art Exhibition & Competition, Guangzhou, China
• 1988 Guangzhou Fine Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, China
• 1987 Guangzhou City, Liuzhou City Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, Guangzhou, Guangxi, China
• 1984 Guangzhou National Library Literary Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition, Guangzhou, China
• 1978 Tianjin City, Guangzhou City Youth and Children Fine Art Exhibition, Tianjin, Guangzhou, China

Media Reports

• The Straits Times, Singapore
• Channel NewsAsia, Singapore
• Channel 8, Singapore
• Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore
• Lianhe Wanbao, Singapore
• Redifussion Radio Station, Singapore
• Capital 95.8 Radio Station, Singapore
• China Central Television
• People’s Daily, China
• Beijing Daily, China
• China Painting and Calligraphy Aritstry Journal
• Jiefang Daily, China
• China Youth Daily
• Xinmin Daily, China
• Metro Express, China
• News Times, China
• Nanfang Daily, China
• Guangdong Pictorial, China
• CityPictorial, China
• Guangzhou Daily, China
• Yangcheng Evening News, China
• Legal Daily, China
• Gallery Magazine, China
• Golden Age Magazine, China
• Family Magazine, China
• Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, China
• Guancheng Newspaper, China
• SinTao Global Network, China
• Ta Kung Pao Newspaper, Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Wen Hui Bao
• Asia Art Magazine, Hong Kong
• Macao Daily News
• Art News, Korea
• International Artist, USA
• New Evening News, Hong Kong
• Collection of Paintings by Young & Adult Chinese Artists, China
• MONDIAL Collection Magazine, Singapore
• Gallery Guide Book, Japan
• Asian Art News, Hong Kong
• ART : art, Singapore

Selected published works of Fan Shao Hua