Cheng Shan-His was born in Longxi County, Fuzhou Province in 1932. He arrived in Taiwan in 1950 and attended the Department of Art at Tainan Teachers’ School (today’s National University of Tainan) in 1953. After graduating from the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in 1960, he went on to teach at Taichung Teachers’ School, Taichung Teachers’ College and the NTNU Department of Fine Arts. Cheng’s artistic career has mainly focused on ink painting, receiving first place in the Chinese Painting category of the Provincial Teachers Art Exhibition in 1965, 1966, 1968 and 1969, followed by his first solo exhibition (in 1969). Cheng also received first place in the Chinese Painting category at the Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition in 1965 and 1967, second place in the Chinese Painting category of the Provincial Teachers Art Exhibition in 1967 and was a recipient of the Chinese Painting Prize at the 9th Art and Culture Awards organized by the Chinese Writer's & Artist's Association in 1968. Cheng Shanhsi is widely recognized as a proponent of the “Colloquialization of literati ink painting” and is not only adept at poetry, calligraphy and painting but also a master of the directness and freedom that define folk painting style. In this context, his paintings have their own inimical style, one that does not over focus on composition and presentation but rather offers a window into daily life and showcases the aesthetic beauty

and appeal of life in that moment.

The intimacy of Cheng Shan-His’s works comes from the freedom and joy inherent in “The wonderful boisterous beating of gongs and drums” that is such an integral part of life. Viewing the artist’s paintings, calligraphy or ceramic works is akin to regaling in the amazing diversity and beauty life has to offer. On a deeper level, each calligraphy and painting work or decorative ceramic piece gives voice to Cheng’s understanding of life and living, while demonstrating his love for the inherent vitality of popular culture. However, what drives Cheng Shan-His as an artist is his desire to pass on and imbue with renewed vitality the essential spirit of an ancient culture and heritage.