28 November - 28 December 2026
For centuries, the lotus has held a special place in Chinese art and literature. Rising from muddy waters yet remaining unstained, it has long symbolised purity, integrity and resilience. Its beauty has inspired generations of artists, from the great masters of classical Chinese painting to contemporary practitioners who continue to find new expressions in this timeless subject.
For Professor Dr. Cheng Haw-Chien, the lotus has remained a recurring subject throughout his distinguished artistic career. Bringing together paintings selected from different periods of his practice, Ode to the Lotus offers an opportunity to appreciate not only his mastery of traditional Chinese ink painting, but also the richness and variety of his artistic interpretation of this familiar subject.
What makes Professor Dr. Cheng's lotus paintings particularly compelling is his ability to see beauty beyond the blossom itself. His works celebrate the lotus in all its forms — from the freshness of emerging buds and the elegance of open flowers to the weathered leaves, bending stems and mature seedpods. Each possesses its own character, and each is given equal importance through the artist's brush.
Across the collection, we encounter a remarkable range of artistic expression. Some paintings are bold and vigorous, with expansive leaves rendered in powerful sweeps of black ink, enlivened by touches of turquoise, golden yellow and crimson. Others are quieter and more restrained, where delicate blossoms emerge from generous areas of empty space. These contrasting approaches reveal the versatility of an artist who understands when to express himself with strength and when to exercise restraint.
Particularly striking is Professor Dr. Cheng's treatment of the ageing lotus. Where others might see only fading beauty, he discovers character, strength and dignity. The dried seedpods and weathered leaves are no less worthy of attention than flowers in full bloom. They speak of nature's changing seasons and remind us that beauty does not belong exclusively to youth, but continues to reveal itself through maturity and the passage of time.
As a master of Chinese literati painting, Professor Dr. Cheng brings together painting, poetry and calligraphy in a harmonious artistic language. His inscriptions and seals complement the visual compositions, enriching the works with literary and cultural meaning. His expressive brushwork, meanwhile, reflects both the discipline of tradition and the freedom of personal interpretation.
Viewed together, these paintings reveal a sustained artistic dialogue with the lotus. Although created during different periods of his career, they share an unmistakable vitality and sensitivity towards nature. Their differences in composition, colour and expression invite us to consider the many possibilities that a single subject can offer an artist over a lifetime of practice.
There is something deeply human about this collection. Just as the lotus experiences the changing seasons, we too move through different stages of life. There are moments of growth and flourishing, moments of quiet reflection, and moments when experience and maturity bring a different kind of beauty.
At PINKGUY Gallery, we are honoured to present Ode to the Lotus, celebrating Professor Dr. Cheng Haw-Chien's enduring artistic dedication and his contribution to the tradition of Chinese ink painting.
We invite visitors to look beyond the beauty of the flower and discover the strength, character and quiet wisdom expressed through his brush.
For in the hands of a master, the lotus is not simply a subject to be painted, but a reflection of life itself.
PINKGUY Gallery
Curator