|
One of the four oil paintings that Chen painted of Jurong Country Club. -- PHOTO: CHRISTINA CHEN
|
Buddhism inspired her but trying to paint Buddha's image was a far from zen process for Christina Chen.
The 51-year-old oil painter prayed for guidance to complete the piece, which became the first one of her collection. 'I felt lost but I just prayed to Buddha to let me finish,' she says.
The painting, and 64 others, is on show at Jurong Country Club from today to Tuesday. The exhibition also includes her Chinese calligraphy and brush paintings.
Sixty of her works are for sale, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $18,000.
She has also published a book, titled Christina Chen, to be sold at $50 each.
Half of the proceeds from the sale of the artworks and the book will be donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. She says: 'I find the cause meaningful and decided to help the children.'
The former fashion designer gave up her boutique business to work with her husband on a joint venture to sell radiators in China.
While there, she pursued art, a hobby she had picked up in school. She decided to do oil painting, a medium she describes as 'forgiving', as she can experiment with bold strokes and colours.
Besides Buddhist images, her works include portraits of people and scenery of places that she has visited.
|
