2019 Life in Color
Kaohsiung Da-Tang Living Art Center Exhibition
Stephen Peng's Life in Color
Now on Exhibition at Da-Tang Living Art Center
The long-running philanthropic GFC Foundation is now holding a solo exhibition of Stephen Peng's paintings at Studio Tang in Kaohsiung until June 16th. Titled Life in Color, the exhibition showcases the painter's unbounded and passionate style with mixed media such as oil and acrylic. Lack of formal training frees Stephen Peng from the restraining academic indoctrination and opens up a space for quirkiness and imagination.
Born in Hsinchu City and having studied business administration, Stephen Peng has over 50 years of painting experience since his childhood, thanks to the influence of his father and grandfather as both of them were ardent painters. Having a keen interest in painting since his days as a student, he held his first solo exhibition in college. With his love for art, Peng devoted himself to luggage and suitcase design. Not only is he the exclusive authorized chief designer of Benetton, but he was also the driving force behind the luggage trade in the 1980s, creating the legend of the luggage king.
Stephen Peng had been continuously creating with enthusiasm, yet stated that his "real" works for art only began after his retirement. In 2008, Peng decided to pick up painting again and started to find the truly colorful creative space deep in his heart. For the past 11 years, he has never stopped creating and held several exhibitions in Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, and other places. Especially passionate about the exchange and promotion of art and culture, he expressed that he enjoys teaching children how to paint. By showing children how to use different tools and colors, he can clearly see their joy and engaged excitement when they feel free to express their creativity. Inspiring and guiding them in their creative process is a very rewarding experience.
A master of abstract painting, Stephen Peng is fond of experimenting with all kinds of tools, such as trowels, floor brushes, brooms, rollers and sponges, etc. His unapologetic use of bold colors is similar to the way he views and lives his life: a vibrant journey that should be embraced with childlike curiosity and gusto.
Tang Chiu-Lin, Chairman of the GFC Foundation, which holds the exhibition, stated that due to her love for art and desire for the public education of art and aesthetics, she founded Studio Tang in the hope of cultivating the cultural and art scene in Kaohsiung. Since its opening in 2018, Studio Tang has held 4 art and cultural exhibitions and parent-child aesthetics educational events. Currently, the Studio plans to set up a tea room and multi-functional classrooms on the 3rd floor, hoping the citizens of Kaohsiung will bring aesthetics into every aspect of their daily life.
