Chinese Foldable Fan Paintings by Chao Iok Leng

Chao Iok Leng brings a refreshing approach to the tradition of Chinese folding fan paintings with an undeniably skillful technique using Chinese ink. This display case creates a rare intersection of function and beauty, where the cooling function of the fan is accentuated by the artistic imprint on its delicate paper. This portable work of art is indeed a rare commodity in contemporary urban life. This exhibition seeks to replenish our everyday lives with an exotic object rooted in ancient Chinese culture and appreciation of the sublime.

Curator’s Statement 

We are delighted to present a selection of fan leaf paintings by Macau-based artist Chao Iok Leng. She is one of the few remaining masters preserving and developing this delicate and vibrant art form. A true artist to the core, she has pursued calligraphy and Chinese ink painting consistently throughout her career.

This display of fan leaf paintings is a rare intersection of function and beauty. The fans’ cooling function is accentuated by an artistic imprint on their delicate paper. However, for the most part, we have stripped the fan of its original purpose and presented it as a framed work of art. Nevertheless, the fans’ original purpose is still evident, as they were created for this purpose and can ultimately be restored to their original form. Conversely, the foldable painted fan is a portable work of art and a rare commodity in contemporary urban life. This exhibition seeks to enrich our everyday lives by reacquainting us with an exotic object with ancient Chinese origins that evokes a sense of the sublime.

This time, the motifs chosen by Chao to adorn the fan leaf are inspired by flowers (such as hosta, wisteria, peony, morning glory, magnolia, plum and lotus), fruits (such as pomegranate and lychee) and vegetables (such as cabbage and straw mushroom, pepper and lentils), as well as insects and birds (such as the mynah bird, bee, grasshopper and baby chick). Each motif is accompanied by an inscription of a short poem that provides further context and insight into the artist’s emotional state at that particular moment. Chao also explained that these are not ‘still life’ genres but depict living elements that we see in our daily lives but rarely appreciate. Traditionally, these fan leaf paintings capture the atmosphere with emotion and serve as a means of conveying the artist’s inner world. Chao’s expressive style, characterised by confident brushstrokes, is testament to her skilful mastery of traditional Chinese ink painting. This technique involves balancing wet and dry elements within a single brushstroke on paper, which, due to its unique absorbency, presents a challenge in itself.

Essentially, this series of fan leaf paintings can be interpreted as Japanese haiku poems. The pictures capture the artist’s interpretation of their surroundings, whether real or imaginary, and share it with anyone who might appreciate its profound meaning.

João Ó

About Chao Iok Leng

Chao Iok Leng, originally from Nanhai, Guangdong, has lived in Macau for most of her life and has had a deep and broad interest in art since childhood. In the early 1970s, she studied under Guan Wanli, learning meticulous painting of flowers and birds, and later studied Western painting with Li Lun, blending Eastern and Western styles. In the late 1970s, she moved to Hong Kong, where she studied flower-and-bird painting and landscape painting under Luo Zuishan, and learned calligraphy from Liang Zijiang. After returning to Macau, she studied Chinese and Western painting with Zhao Weifu and often went out for sketching with peers. In the 1980s, she studied Lingnan painting techniques under Zhao Shaoang and traveled to Beijing to learn meticulous painting of flowers and birds from Xu Junxiu. In the 1990s, while living in Vancouver, she studied freehand landscape and flower painting with Song Weiyuan, who came from Beijing.

Chao Iok Leng currently serves as the Vice President of the Macau Yi Un Calligraphy and Painting Association, an academic advisor for the Macao Association of Chinese Culture and Arts, an art advisor for the Macao Culture and Art Association, an honorary advisor for International Women Artists Association-Macao, and a member of the Macau Artist Society.  In 1987, she held her first solo exhibition at The Luis de Camões Museum of Macao with works collected by the museum. In 1996, she was invited by the Macao Government Tourism Office to hold an exhibition of her Chinese paintings titled “The Charm of Leisure” at the Tourism Exhibition Hall, and she has participated in countless joint exhibitions both locally and internationally.

Chao Iok Leng has a long-standing friendship with Master Lin Jinda. Although she has never formally become a disciple, decades of close interaction have made them both teacher and friend, influencing each other subtly. Master Lin’s accomplishments and character have undoubtedly had a significant impact on her. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly, starting with rigorous meticulous painting of flowers, then progressing to freehand styles, exploring various painting techniques. Her landscapes are derived from sketching, seeking out serene forests and deep valleys, capturing the atmosphere with emotion. Her calligraphy blends various styles, including Han Li, Northern Wei, and running script.

In addition to her painting and calligraphy practice, Chao Iok Leng founded Livraria Ngai Chi Hin in the 1980s in Macau, supplying the “Four Treasures of the Study” and craft supplies, benefiting fellow artists and gaining high praise in the industry. In the early 2000s, she established Nam Fan Lou, selling various types of artistic fans as another medium to promote and develop calligraphy and painting art. She can be described as consistent in her pursuits, embodying the essence of a true artist in both calligraphy and painting.

Organiser

Sponsor 

Cultural Development Fund

of the Macao SAR

Art Consultant