Hsiao Yu

The real name of Little Fish is Chen Cheng-lung. He was born in Keelung City in 1948. In 1972 he graduated from the Chinese Cultural College Department of Fine Arts.

In 1983 he resigned the job as high school teacher that he had held for nine years to concentrate on his calligraphy, carving, and painting. He entered a period of virtual hibernation. He called himself "a greenhorn"-- "One who is interested in all things, but whose way of conducting life is a bit out of time and out of place."

Perhaps because of this, Little Fish was able to maintain his own interest and to allow his original self to show through his works.

He is often tongue-tied when confronted with people. In fact he is hospitable and loquacious, with much to say. He most fears being asked to eat by the famous, or going to hotels; these kinds of things make him uneasy.

Once a collector from Hong Kong invited several artists to a meal; Little Fish ended up spilling his drink on a rather senior painter's new scholar's gown.

He often believes he "has a psychological problem." He sought out a psychiatrist; he didn't expect that they would end up talking about literature, art, carving . . . . The doctor even forgot that he had more patients waiting for him.

In 1971, he published "Seals by Little Fish". From this point he attracted increasing numbers of admirers.

In 1985 came the publication of "Little Fish Chops," "A Collection of Calligraphy by Little Fish," and "Little Fish Is Just Little Fish" (published by Hann Colour in Taipei). These were part of the fruits of his first one-man personal exhibition. During the exhibition, it was hard to find Little Fish, because he wasn't sure where he should put himself.

In 1987, Hann Colour collected together various writings from over the years in "Let's Go Eat Noodles"; within a short time a second, then a third, then a fourth printing were necessary. A year later came another collection of writings, "There Is a Defect."

In 1988, Little Fish held his second personal show at the Caves Gallery, and at the same time published "A Collection of Works by Little Fish" (including calligraphy, painting, seal carvings, and writings) and three volumes of seal carving.