2018 Life in Color

Singapore Fullerton Hotel Exhibition

Living A Splendid Life
Stephen Peng’s Life in Color

The vast scarlet backdrop that resembles the style of Mark Rothko is like the flaming sunset. Meanwhile, a royal blue Rolls-Royce approaches, and unusual flames leap from its headlights and tires. The symmetrical and bold composition lightens the visually stimulating contrasting colors and transforms them into a feeling of elegance from the olden days. One critic said this scene made him think of a gentleman from the golden age driving back home after a few rounds of drinks.

This artistic conception reminds people of poet Du Mu’s Shan Xing: “As I stopped the wagon for the maple forest at dusk, the frost-covered leaves were redder than flowers in spring.” Through artist Stephen Peng’s skillfulness, Rolls-Royce and the sunset are transformed into the sumptuous late Tang dynasty. With highly-saturated, abstract, and delicate elements, the painting shows the artist’s bright and hearty personal traits.

This art piece is not easy to find. It came into existence because of a special invitation. Singapore’s annual event, President's Challenge, set to take place in June 2018, coincides with The Fullerton Hotels’ 90th anniversary. Apart from holding a vintage car exhibition, the hotel especially invited Taiwanese painter Stephen Peng to paint for a charity auction.

It is the fourth time that Peng holds his exhibition in Singapore. The four events have been organized by Gallery Nawei. Managing Director Jenny Zhu is someone who appreciates Peng’s talent. When the occasion arises, the first artist that comes to Zhu’s mind has always been Peng from the first time they met. This time, Gallery Nawei partakes in the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance to celebrate the hotel’s 90th anniversary. Zhu said: “The first person I thought of was Stephen Peng. To begin with, I really like his art; secondly, The Fullerton Building is a historic building, and a good piece of art should also be a classic that lasts forever. I think Peng’s art has this characteristic. He is very creative and has a talent for incorporating authentic portrayal, the abstract, and imagery. He can definitely present the historic building, vintage car, and contemporary painting very well artistically. In addition, he himself really likes vintage cars, so he is the top choice for this charity auction.” (Note: an excerpt from Zaobao, April 24, 2018, text by Hu Wenyan) 

Peng built his business from scratch, and has received support from many people throughout his life. After being a successful businessman, he is eager to contribute to society, hoping to help others with his passion for art. He said: “By participating in this event, I hope to contribute to society. I believe that both the education sector and society should put more resources into art education. This time, I am taking part in the 90th anniversary of The Fullerton Hotels and it is my honor to engage in this charitable endeavor. In addition, I’ve always loved beautiful cars. As this event coincides with the exhibition of vintage cars, I look forward to being a part of it.”

Born in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Peng built his business all by himself. With over forty years of success in bag design in the fashion industry, he used to work as Design Director of Benetton accessories, and the four-color bag he designed was a worldwide hot seller. In 2008, he retired and began to paint again. He started using all sorts of peculiar materials to present the magnificent scenery he has seen in his life. At the age of 72, he, who always uses an abstract approach to his art, agreed to make art based on specific themes: “vintage car” and “the Fullerton Hotels.”

How to use an abstract approach to present a concrete theme and still present Singapore’s characteristics? After Stephen Peng accepted the challenge, he spent more than three months studying the history of the hotel franchise, and the structure and design of vintage cars. He also tried many techniques. In the end, he decided to use a great amount of color to express Singapore’s ethnic diversity, economy, and politics. Using his favorite geometric shapes and streaking, he included modernity in the classic vintage cars and historic building. The highly saturated painting was made with a lightweight feeling and a sense of speed. 

Peng said: “I enjoyed the process very much. When I was driving, sleeping, brushing my teeth, I was thinking about it.” Julie Yang, Peng’s manager, said: “The process was very challenging. For him, painting has always been relaxing; yet, for this event, he had to make something concrete, and that was especially difficult for him. He had to overcome his own limitations and spent the entire time making it. He began painting right after he woke up! For him, it was an experience that forced him to break out of his comfort zone. He had to create a new way of presentation with his own style. It was tough, but the result now is amazing.”

The depth of abstract art comes from a sense of endless genuineness. The part that moves people is the artist’s sharp sensitivity to the world. Peng said: “I have been asked by different people many times: ‘which style and painting technique do you prefer?’ or ‘which art school did you go to?’ My answer has always been the same: ‘I have never focused on techniques, nor have I ever learned art in an art school, I simply paint how I feel, and all the techniques I know are the inspirations that guide me.’”