Showcase 1: “Dear Friends” Letter

This showcase contains a letter written by Chen on the extreme left. She sent it to her friends in Paris in June 1951, shortly after arriving in Penang, Malaya. Take a closer look at the address on the top left: 52 MK-13 Ayer Itam Village Penang, Malaya. This is likely the first time Chen’s new address in Malaya appeared in her letters, marking her presence in Penang. This letter, written in French, is especially significant in revealing Chen’s first impressions upon moving to Penang, which she described as “Paradise on Earth”. Here, Chen writes about her newfound interest in subject matters such as tropical fruit and equatorial landscapes. She speaks with delight about the landscapes, people, fruits, and sights of Malaya: “The fruit trees are laden with fruits ... bananas, coconuts, and many others, all ready to satisfy those who have the courage to climb trees. Nature is prolific and lush. What greenery!” These aspects would continue to inspire her art in the years ahead. Besides the excitement of artistic inspiration, Chen also provides updates on her professional life. She shares news about being employed as an art teacher at Han Chiang High School, Penang, which shows how she eked out a living for herself in Malaya. Letter-writing was an important way for Chen to maintain her relationships with friends and family in France and China.