Oil Painting

1990

Length:130 x Width:97 (cm)

Accession Number：20210100092

Lin Hsing-Yueh (1939-2025) was born in Taichung as the posthumous son of sculptor Lin Kun-Ming (1913-1939). His mother passed away when he was five, and he was later raised in an orphanage. In 1961, he enrolled at Taiwan Provincial Normal University (now National Taiwan Normal University). After graduation, he taught at Shengang High School in Changhua. In 1975, he went to Spain for further studies, and upon returning to Taiwan, became a professor at the National Institute of the Arts (now Taipei National University of the Arts).
Lin’s early works were surreal and metaphorical, composed of symbolic motifs that hinted at the suppressed frustration of life under Taiwan’s political repression. Later, he turned to depictions of Taiwan’s landscapes, painting from observation but using imaginative, dreamlike colors that set his style apart from realism. In addition to painting, Lin also authored several books on art history. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008, followed by cancer, he endured great physical hardship but continued to paint, challenging himself with large-scale works until the end.
Taichung Park Impressions portrays a lakeside scene in Taichung Park. A leaning tree, rendered in shadow and deep tones, dominates the composition, while the distant boats are painted in light, high-key yellows and pale purples, creating a stark contrast. Lin’s signature color approach is evident—dark areas are tinged with purple, while complementary hues like purple, yellow, and green evoke a fantastical, dreamlike atmosphere. A small human figure near the bottom of the painting adds a quiet trace of life to an otherwise tranquil scene.