Print

1985

Length:92.5 x Width:92.5 (cm)

Chen Ting-Shih (1913-2002, Changle, Fujian), known by his pen name Erh Shih, was born into a literary family. His diverse body of work spans printmaking, ink painting, oil painting, and sculpture. He actively participated in artist groups such as the Fifth Moon Group, the Modern Print Association, and the Modern Eye Art Society. His works have received major awards, including the Golden Goblet Award, recognition at the São Paulo Art Biennial in Brazil, and first prize at the Korea International Print Biennale.
Day and Night #89 is part of Chen’s Day and Night series, one of his most representative bodies of printmaking. Created between 1971 and 1999, the series spans nearly thirty years and comprises 102 individual plates. This work features a red semicircle, a black almond shape, and a small unprinted circle set within the red area. On either side, ochre-colored circles are arranged in planetary fashion. Through the use of geometric color blocks—circles, rectangles, and curves—Chen explores the transition between light and shadow as shaped by the sun. These contrasts reflect the passage of time and shifts in spatial perception. The print is made on bagasse board, a material Chen began using in 1957 in place of traditional woodblocks. The fractured surface of the board contributed to a stylistic shift in Chen’s prints, moving from realism toward abstract expressionism. Its distinctive texture also visually echoes the erosion and passage of time.

Accession number:20200100071