Court Orders Artist’s Widow to Return Paintings to University

Chang Lin Hsiu-Hsiang, the widow of the late Taiwanese painter Chang Chin-fa (1934–2012), was ordered by the Taiwan High Court to return 12 of her husband’s paintings to the university he had donated them to, according to a report by Taipei Times on August 23. 

In January 2017, Chang Lin had asked to borrow 12 of her husband’s paintings from the National Taiwan University of Arts (NTUA) for an event commemorating the fifth anniversary of his passing, which the university had agreed to, provided that they be returned by the end of July. When she later refused, the university took the case to court, suing her in 2018 for not just their return but also NTD 590,000 (USD 21,000) in damages.

Though the Taiwan New Taipei District Court initially ruled in the university’s favor in August 2019, Chang Lin soon appealed for a second decision, arguing that her husband had never meant for the paintings to be gifted. She explained to Taiwanese news outlet Liberty Times that in 2008, Chang was not of sound judgement due to his struggle with cancer, and he only meant to loan the paintings out for the opening exhibition of NTUA’s new art museum, which never displayed his works. The paintings were stored in a warehouse by the school, and she was too busy taking care of her husband and finalizing his affairs to press for their return. She claims the paintings should be inherited by her and their daughters.

However, the High Court concluded on July 27 that the paintings were a donation based on NTUA’s provision of letters and documents detailing its approval by the school, and the contractor’s testimony of handling the donation. The judge stated that Chang Lin was unable to produce sufficient evidence of her husband’s intent to loan the works and compelled Chang Lin to return the paintings, though it awarded no damages to the university and stated she could appeal the decision.

In 2008, Chang Chin-fa donated 12 paintings depicting scenes in Taiwan, including Aboriginal villagers and fishermen, and displaying his admiration for both nature and the simple life. From 1968 to 1998, he led the Southern Taiwan Art Association in Kaohsiung, where he inspired and cultivated painters. His significant contribution to Taiwan’s art development prompted the former Kaohsiung mayor Yang Chin-hu to write him a calligraphic inscription in 1985 naming him “The Painter of Takao.” He passed away in 2012 at the age of 78.

Suining Sim is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.

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