Lin Tian-ruei was born in Kaohsiung County in 1927. In 1945, while Lin Tian-ruei was working as an assistant lecturer at the Vocational School of Engineering of Tainan Provincial College of Engineering, Lin had a chance to learn designing and painting from Yan Shuei-long. Lin and Professor Yan had developed a solid relationship as teacher and student since then. Whenever there was time, Lin Tian-ruei oftentimes would consult respected Taiwanese painters such as Lan Ying-ding, Yang San-lang, Li Mei-shu, Li Shih-chiao, and Liao Chi-chun for painting techniques. Learning directly from those masters proved to be the most straightforward and helpful way for his career as an artist. Lin later entered the Li Shih-chiao Studio to study sketching. At the same time, Lin established friendships with the then active Taiwanese painters such as Cheng Shih-fan, Chang Yi-shiung, Chang Wan-chuan and Chin Jun-tso. Later on, Lin was invited to join the Tai-yang Art Association. In 1952, Liu Chi-shiang established the Kaohsiung Art Research Association (“Kao-mei” Association) and Lin was among the founding members. Lin was employed by the preparatory office of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (KMFA) as its consultant committee, as art collection committee of the KMFA, and as jury of “Kaohsiung City Fine Arts Exhibits.” He had contributed to the development of art around the Kaohsiung area without holding anything back. Lin won Kaohsiung County Prize of Arts, Kaohsiung City Prize of Arts, Culture Medal of Ministry of Education, and Wen-shin Award of Executive Yuan, and so on. His work was collected in the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, KMFA, and Kaohsiung County Bureau of Cultural Affairs.

Fish won fourth place in the “special selections” competition in the ninth “Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition,” in 1954 when Lin Tian-ruei was 28. The triangular composition of the painting is identical to that of the French impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. In order to present the overview of three fishes, Lin takes an overlook angle and renders the three sides of the legs of the table as the theme of the painting. The green background contrasts the red tablecloth decorated with white plates. The dark brown table harmonizes the visual conflict between green and red. Through the well-executed simple and precise outlines and sketches, fish in the painting display visual effects of their weight and freshness.

Lin Tian-ruei was very versatile in his creativity. With over 2,000 works, Lin was also very prolific in his creativity. Most of his themes are natural scenes and landscapes, including sea scenery, ancient houses which present a heavy nostalgic atmosphere. His works are most impressive for their textures and heavy substantial quality. Moreover, Lin was involved in many different aspects of art designs including commercial logo, stage props, jewelry, advertising and billboard, book and magazine illustrations, furniture and manufacture, and showcase. He has made many contributions to aspects of lifestyle aestheticism. Lin did not come from a wealthy family, study from a foreign master, or have a degree from Japan or France. Nevertheless, Lin still insisted on fulfilling his artistic ideals while struggling with life. Exchanging views towards art and learning from local Kaohsiung personalities and artists, Lin’s long term efforts to promote art eventually earned him the honors that he deserved.