(Special correspondent Su Chun-te / Taipei report) “Brush-Painted Landscapes, Boundless Grandeur” — the solo oil painting exhibition of Lu A-Fu — opened with a grand ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on September 23 at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, and will run through October 4. The show features nearly one hundred of the “masterpieces from the bottom of the trunk” that the artist has treasured over many years. The works, rich and varied in form and style, use vivid brushstrokes to depict the wider world and the beauty of mountains and land, with magnificent scenery that delights the eye. Visitors immersed themselves in the paintings, feeling relaxed, at ease, and joyful. It is no wonder that Lu A-Fu is also hailed in art circles as a master of the “Comfort School” (“shu-fu pai”).
Caption: Chairman Lu A-Fu, master of the “Comfort School,” at the opening of the “Brush-Painted Landscapes, Boundless Grandeur” exhibition on September 23 in the first-floor gallery of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei.
Caption: Former Ambassador to Denmark Chuang Heng-sheng delivers remarks at the invitation of the organizers.
The opening ceremony was hosted by veteran media professional Tang Yu-shu. Distinguished guests filled the venue to capacity in a grand atmosphere. The event began with a concert by the string quartet of the Chiyan Chamber Orchestra, whose beautiful melodies set the stage for the exhibition. The paintings on the walls and the music resonated with one another, giving more than one hundred visitors a high-quality feast of art and music.
Caption: Chairman Lu A-Fu delivers his address.
Lu A-Fu’s paintings of Yushan (Jade Mountain) became the focal point of the exhibition. Majestic and imposing, the work shows a peak thrusting into the sky, mist drifting around the mountainside, and a profusion of flowers blooming at the foot — a gripping composition. In addition, two portraits of his parents capture their simple and kind demeanor with delicate brushwork, so lifelike that they seem to leap off the canvas, conveying the painter’s gratitude and longing for his parents and the heartfelt filial devotion of a son. His paintings of waterfalls and flowing springs are exceptional; viewed quietly, one can almost hear the murmur of running water — silence that speaks louder than sound, a distinctive hallmark of the artist.
Caption: String quartet of the Chiyan Chamber Orchestra.
Worth mentioning is that the South-Link Railway passes by Lu A-Fu’s childhood home, and one work depicts a train passing through the scene, reflecting the painter’s deep attachment to his hometown. Every flower and blade of grass on that land nourishes his creative work. He has never forgotten anything about his home village, and his strong sense of rural affection is sincerely expressed in his art, leaving a lasting impression.
Caption: Distinguished guests gather at Lu A-Fu’s solo exhibition.
Guests attending the opening included: Ko Po-wen, Chairman of the Taoyuan Lifeline Association; Pan Hui-min, Director of the Art and Cultural Creativity Center at Chinese Culture University; Chu Yu-chieh, Chair of the Lanyang Fine Arts Society; Chen Wen-chia, Vice President of Nankai University; Chuang Heng-sheng, former Ambassador to Denmark; renowned director Hua Hui-ying; Chu Hui-chun, Director of the AI Research Center at Soochow University; Lin Chao-wei, Vice Chairman of the Taiwan Fine Arts Association; Thomas VanDyke, founder of Thomas VanDyke Gallery in New York; Yeh Sheng-mao, formerly of the Investigation Bureau; and painter Huang Fei, among others.
Caption: Ko Po-wen, Chairman of the Taoyuan Lifeline Association, delivers remarks at the invitation of the organizers.
Exhibition Information
Venue: First-floor exhibition hall, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (free admission)
Dates: September 23 – October 4
Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.