Chen Jen Hao

Introduction

Chen Jen Hao (陈人浩; 1908 – 1976) was a pioneer artist and educator. Best known for his Chinese calligraphy, he was also adept at western painting. He received his art education in both Shanghai and Paris and took up a professorship at Shanghai Art Academy upon returning from Paris. Chen came to Malaya in 1937 upon the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War and took up a teaching position in Muar. He moved to Singapore in 1956 where he was appointed the headmaster (afternoon session) of Kallang West Government Chinese Middle School (now Dunman High School) and later became its principal. Chen was active in the local art scene, such as participating in several art exhibitions and serving as president of the Society of Chinese Artists and honorary advisor to the Lee Kong Chian Museum of Asian Art at Nanyang University among others. He also actively participated in educational societies in both Malaya and Singapore.

Selected books on Chen Jen Hao

• 黄明宗. (主编). [Huang, M. Z. (Ed.).] (1975?). 中华美术研究会四十周年纪念特刊1975 [Society of Chinese Artists 40th Anniversary Magazine 1975]. 新加坡: 中华美术研究会. Call no.: Chinese RSING 759.95957 SOC This anniversary magazine provides the history of the Society of Chinese Artists and brief biographies and artworks of its members. It also contains a preface by Chen Jen Hao, who was the Vice-President of the Society then, his biography and an image of Chen’s oil painting, Luoma Jiyou (Travels in Rome; 罗马纪游).

• 柯木林. (主编). [Ke, M. L. (Ed.).] (1995). 新华历史人物列传 [Who’s who in the Chinese community of Singapore]. 新加坡: 教育出版公司, p. 67. Call no.: Chinese RSING 959.570092 WHO-[HIS]. The book contains the biographies of 1,175 Chinese personalities in Singapore, covering the period from 1819 to 1990. Each biography contains the birth and death dates, dialect group, occupation and affiliated organisations of the Chinese personality. Chen Jen Hao’s biography is also included.

• 方百成, 杜南发. (编委主任). [Fang, B. C. and Du, N. F. (Ed.).] (2012). 世界福建名人录, 新加坡编. [Prominent figures of the world Fujian communities: Singapore]. 新加坡: 新加坡福建会馆, pp. 51–53. Call no.: Chinese RSING 920.05957 PRO The book contains the biographies of 155 Chinese Hokkien personalities in Singapore, covering the period from 1819 to 2012. Chen Jen Hao’s biography in this book highlighted his contribution towards education and the arts.

Selected articles on Chen Jen Hao

• 刘抗 [Liu, K.] (1981). 兼教育者的画家陈人浩 [Chen Jen Hao, the artist who is also an educator]. In 刘抗文集. 新加坡: 教育出版社, pp. 116–121. Call no.: Chinese RSING 709.2 LK This article provides a brief biography of Chen Jen Hao and comments on his artworks in various genres, such as calligraphy and western painting.

• Maulod, A. (2016). Chen Jen Hao (https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=4fe04e6f-f6ea-4148-a7b3-cbb19a7ea99e). Retrieved from Infopedia. This brief biography of Chen Jen Hao also highlights Chen’s contribution to the art scene in Singapore.

Selected newspaper articles on Chen Jen Hao

• 麻坡青年励志社筹办美术展览会筹赈 首次委员会议决定进行要案——展览会职员已分别选定. (1938, April 28). 南洋商报, p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. The article reports on an art exhibition organised by the Qingnian Lizhi She (青年励志社; Youth Association) in Muar to raise funds for the war relief efforts in China. Chen Jen Hao was nominated as the vice-chairperson of the organising committee and the article included a brief introduction of Chen.

• 麻坡中化校长陈人浩辞职乃欲有较多之时间从事美术研究工作. (1954, October 29). 南洋商报, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This article announces the resignation of Chen Jen Hao as principal of Chung Hwa High School in Muar as he wished to pursue his research in fine arts. The article also included a short write-up on Chen and his career in Chung Hwa High School.

• The artist who chose to teach. (1984, March 24). The Straits Times, p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. This article highlights comments made by Ho Kah Leong on Chen Jen Hao when Ho opened the exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and paintings by Chen.

Selected oral history interviews on Chen Jen Hao

• Quah, I. (Interviewer). (1996, January 25). Oral history interview with Liu Thai Ker [Accession No. 001732, reels 1-4 of 29]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/ An interview with Liu Thai Ker, nephew of Chen Jen Hao. In the selected reels, Liu Thai Ker spoke about his uncle, and the influence that he had on him.

• Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1983, January 13.) Oral history interview with Liu Kang [Accession No. 000171, reels 42 of 74]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/ An interview with Liu Kang, close friend and brother-in-law of Chen Jen Hao. In this reel, Liu Kang briefly talked about him and their friendship.

Selected works by Chen Jen Hao

• 陈人浩.. [Chen, R. H.] (2006). 陈人浩书画 [Chinese calligraphy works and paintings by Chen Jen Hao]. 新加坡: 啸涛篆刻书画会. Call no.: Chinese RSING 745.619951 CJH In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the passing of Chen Jen Hao, Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal-Carving Calligraphy & Painting Society organised an exhibition on Chen’s works and published this book. It contains plates of paintings, calligraphy and writings by Chen Jen Hao, as well as photographs and biography of and articles on Chen.

• 陈人浩.. [Chen, R. H.] (1984). 人浩书画 [The collection of Chinese calligraphy & paintings by the late Mr. Chen Jen Hao]. 新加坡: 新加坡中华书学协会. Call no.: Chinese RSING 759.95957 CJH This book is a compilation of plates of selected calligraphy and paintings by Chen Jen Hao, and includes a biography of and writings on Chen.