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STAR-BANNER: Arts & Travel [SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2005]
Cephas Wong doesn't have to look far for inspiration. The contemporary artist was born and raised in beautiful Singapore and has traveled the world in solitude, soaking up the people and places he has experienced.
These influences and others have transformed into passionate and majestic paintings of nature and Chinese life that will be on display at the Appleton Museum of Art for its latest exhibition, "Cephas Wong: A Contemporary Eastern Interpretation."
His creations take shape from a variety of tradition Eastern media such as ink on Chinese rice paper and porcelain vessels. But it's not what he uses, but how he creates that has gotten the attention of the international art world.
"He's a whole new departure from traditional Chinese brush painting, bringing the influence of the West and the East together," said Duain Vierow, an Appleton member who is hosting Wong during his first U.S. exhibition. "He's right out there in the forefront of exploring new things and as such is recognized internationally for that boldness and courageousness"
Vierow said he lived in Southeast Asia for 15 years and returned to the area last year. He brought some of his artwork with him and a friend who also knew Wong introduced the two. When Vierow returned, he showed Leslie Hammond, curator of the museum, Wong's work and "the rest is history."
Hanging on large scrolls, his pieces depict the waterways, mountains and outdoor scenes found in Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and other international spots. Using warm Bolds, bright yellows and shades of purple and green, the colors create a soft and mellow, but vividly eye-catching, look.
When asked which piece holds a special meaning for him, he points to "Moonlight Over Singapore," a seaside view at night of the cityscape of his homeland.
"Singapore is a wonderful place to stay," he said in a nostalgic tone. "'The place is very beautiful. There are a lot of trees and flowers. It's very clean and it's very modern:'
A longtime art enthusiast and critic, Wong started to focus on creating his own art five years ago when his wife urged him to pick up a brush. Wong said all his artwork is different from the typical Chinese paintings. He recently had a solo exhibition at the China National Museum of Fine Art.
"In China, the Chinese artists never paint anything like this," said Won g, standing inside one of the gallery halls at the Appleton. "Together, I combine the Western painting and Chinese painting together and have my own style.'
