His works are themed on depicting local features and have the function of leaving a record of Taiwan's early history.
From 1903 to 1909, Ni Chiang-huai studied at Ruifang Public School and obtained a graduation certificate with first-class honors.
[3] While studying at the National Language School, Ni Chiang-huai also attended correspondence courses at the Japanese "Imperial Calligraphy Society" and the "Nihon Art Academy Western Painting Department" outside class.
[5] Although the class was only one hour a week, Ni Chiang-huai and Ishikawa established a relationship between both teacher and friend during the three-year course.
[3][5] Under the influence of Ishikawa, Ni Chiang-huai began to depict local environments in the form of sketching, becoming a pioneer of early watercolor painting in Taiwan.
[1] In 1913, the year he graduated from the National Language School, Ni Chiang-huai passed the final test of the Western Painting Department of the Japan Art Academy.
However, considering his family and the difficult situation for Taiwanese artists to make a living at that time, Ishikawa persuaded him not to study abroad.
Therefore, Ni Chiang-huai gave up further studies and, under the persuasion of his brother-in-law, devoted himself to the development of the mining industry.
[3][4][5] Although Ni Chiang-huai did not continue his studies or become a full-time artist, he maintained contact with his mentor, Ishikawa, and his colleagues.
[2] On April 21, 2023, Ni Jianghuai's descendants donated nearly 500 of his creations, collections of artworks, and documents to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
[4] However, four years after the establishment of the Seven Stars Painting Circle, because its members were scattered in four places, it was disbanded at the suggestion of Chen Chih-chi.
During this period, there were about 25 students who received an education, including important Taiwanese painters such as Hong Ruilin, Chang Wan-chuan, and Chen De-wang.
Compiled by Keelung Cultural Center, 1995, Ni Jianghuai Centennial Memorial Exhibition: Taiwan's First Watercolor Painter and Art Sponsor.
Hsinchu: National Normal University Elementary School Art and Crafts Teacher Training Website.
Hsinchu: National Normal University Elementary School Arts and Crafts Teachers Continuing Education Website.
Hsinchu: National Normal University Elementary School Arts and Crafts Teachers Continuing Education Website.
FTV News Network, n.d. Death of Ni Chiang-Huai, the First Watercolor Painter in Taiwan [online].