Chen Cheng-po (1895-1947) was born in Chiayi City Taiwan In 1913 he was enrolled in the Taiwan Governor-General's National Language School when the island was under Japanese colonial rule. It was at this time that he met the artist to whom he would become indebted as mentor and guide Kinichiro Ishikawa (1871-1945) paving the way for Chen Cheng-pa's later career in painting. In 1924 Chen traveled to Japan for more studies and enrolled at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. After finishing graduate school he traveled to Shanghai to further his career and was employed as a teacher of Western painting at the Xinhua and Changming academies of art returning to Taiwan in 1933 to devote himself to teaching art. Chen Cheng-po however became a tragic victim of the 228 Incident in 1947 passing away at the age of 52. Chen Cheng-po was one of the most important figures in the history of modern Taiwan painting His oil painting "Outside Chiayi Street" from 1926 was selected for the seventh Imperial Fine Art Exposition ("Teiten") held by the Japanese government marking the first time that a Taiwanese painter participated in the Teiten exhibits His paintings later were regularly chosen for various exhibitions. He also helped form the Taiyang Art Association with other Taiwanese and Japanese painters and promoted art education in Taiwan demonstrating not only great skill as an artist but also profound concern for his fellow countrymen. The year 2014 represents the 120th anniversary of the birth of Chen Cheng-po by Chinese reckoning for which this special exhibition has been planned and developed. Breaking down the boundaries of traditional static painting displays various digital modes of interpretation have been used to create an overall presentation. In addition to presenting the style and contents of artworks further study into the historical materials of these archives offers a fuller expression of the artist's career. As such this is the first lime that a major digital interactive art exhibit has been organized for a local Taiwanese artist. Integrating the humanities and technology masterpieces by Chen Cheng-po from various stages in his career have been recreated for audiences using lively interactive methods. The contents of the exhibition are divided into five major themes. The entrance focuses on "The Brilliant Beauty of the South" using the painting of Chiayi street scenery to reflect the artist's feelings for his hometown. "Traveler Through Time" takes Chen Cheng-po through four stages in his career: "Chiayi: The Beginnings" "Japan: Studying Art" "Shanghai: Teaching Art" and "Return to Taiwan: Making a Contribution." Together they form a corridor of time to explore the artist's paintings. There is also "Exploratory Theater" which enlarges paintings in an oversized digital theater combined with an easy-to-use interactive learning installation allowing audiences to explore the ideas and stories behind Chen Cheng-po's art. "The Restoration Code" displays many years of effort by the Conservation Center at Cheng Shiu University at restoring the paintings of Chen Cheng-po presenting new discoveries and meaning behind them Finally the exhibit ends with the moving and powerful "Snow on Jade Mountain" the last painting that Chen Cheng-po did marking the end of the artist's journey through light and shadow. “Traveler Through Time” Exhibition Info Free of Charge
Date: 2014/12/30-2015/2/28
Hours: 9:00-17:00 Opens everyday
Place: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
For further information please visit: http://chenchengpo.brightideas.com.tw 
This work deals with the Temple of Wenling Sea Goddess (Matsu) next to Guohua Street near where Chen Cheng-po lived. The artist placed the focus of the perspective at the far right with this type of compositional design allowing the form of the temple at the left and the relationship between buildings along the street to be fully expressed. The utility poles gradually extending into the distance on either side not only reinforce the effect of one-point perspective they also serve as symbols with the road drainage system of modernization in Chiayi at the time. The scene of a street vendor and drawing water in front of the temple combined with a person carrying things on a pole and other pedestrians make for an interesting urban scene from that period. 
Chen Cheng-po in his career covered Taiwan Japan Shanghai and Hangzhou leaving behind many kinds of artworks. In addition to these the artist's collection also included a rich trove of historical materials including art postcards photographs and letters. This display area features a digital interactive installation for 'Down the Corridor of Time" and 'Thematic Scenes" organizing the artist's paintings and historical materials by period. Using the concept of traveling through time the scenery changes to allow audiences to understand in further depth the painter's art and the story of his life.
Chen Cheng-po was full of idealism and passion about art a glimpse of which can be found in his paintings. This part of the display takes his ideas background and fondness for home to explore the painter's art via various interactive installations of sub-themes leading viewers on a journey to explore the work of Chen Cheng-po A "virtual theater' has also been constructed for a spatial experience that allows the street scenes of Chiayi in the 1930s as seen in Chen Cheng-po's paintings to come alive before the audience's eyes using projection technology. 
Chen Cheng-po was one of the most prominent victims of the 228 Incident in Taiwan. Against this historical backdrop many collectors were reluctant to publicly display his paintings resulting in their loss or damage over the years. This display area takes a look at analyzing what lies in Chen Cheng-po's paintings from the viewpoint of a conservator. With video explanations and a simulated interaction to experience the restoration of painting we can see what colors and pigments the artist customarily used uncovering elements of history and meaning previously unknown about his art. With the results of a conservation lab on display audiences can further understand the process and techniques involved in art conservation and how to prolong the life of an artwork for posterity. 
Chen Cheng-po's last work was 'Accumulated Snow on Jade Mountain." Despite the small size it has incredible power and reveals the painter's love of Taiwan. This painting serves as the theme of the exhibit exit and as a tribute to the artist symbolizing the culmination of Chen Cheng-po's life and career in art. | 
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