Author:Chou Shih-Tsung

Size:Length:169 x Width:68 (cm)

Size description：121×57 (畫心)

Introduction：Chou Shih-Tsung, courtesy name Hsiao-Yun, was a renowned Hong Kong ink painter originally from Tzuchin, Guangdong Province. Her husband, Liu Chun-Jen, was also a painter. Chou held several prestigious positions, including Superintendent and Principal of the Universal Art Specialized School in Hong Kong, Chairperson of the Chinese Art Association, Honorary President for Life of the Asian Women’s Advancement Association, Committee Member of the Chinese Cultural Association, Advisor to the Hong Kong Calligraphers’ Association, Member of the Japan International Calligraphy Association, and Advisor to the International Chinese Art Association in the United States. In the 1930s, she participated in major exhibitions such as the Canton Art Exhibition, Guangdong Provincial Art Exhibition, and the National Art Exhibition of the Republic of China. Later, she moved to Hong Kong, where she held numerous solo and joint exhibitions in various countries, including Vietnam, Australia, Taiwan, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Her works were also selected for display at the Golden Gate Exposition in the United States and won second place in the Taiwan Women’s Calligraphy Exhibition. In 1972, Chou was awarded the title of Research Fellow by the Chinese Academy of Arts in Taiwan. She also published several notable books, including: “Special Collection of Paintings and Calligraphy from the Southern Tour Exhibition,” “Model Calligraphy of Regular, Running, and Cursive Script Proverbs, ” “Collected Calligraphy Works of Chou Shih-Tsung.”

Chou actively cultivated artistic talents in Hong Kong and Macau through her administrative roles in art schools, making significant contributions to the dissemination of ink painting across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Her works focused primarily on flowers, birds, insects, fish, and shrimp, characterized by meticulous brushwork, precise composition, and elegant color application.

This artwork features a flourishing red plum tree, embodying the imagery of a thousand blossoms and myriad stamens. It evokes the Yuan Dynasty scholar Wang Yuan-Chang’s literary allusion to “fragrance lingering on high branches”, symbolizing noble virtues. The painting was completed during Chou’s tenure at the Universal Art Specialized School in Hong Kong. In the summer of 1975, upon hearing of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek’s passing, Chou was deeply moved by this national loss. She painted this piece from across the sea as a tribute to his memory. The title, “National Soul Forever Radiant,” expresses her admiration for Chiang’s unwavering integrity, using the plum blossom—China’s national flower—as a metaphor for resilience and moral strength.

Accession number:PT06904200