Office, exhibition ushering in national museum of Taiwanese art launched

Tainan, March 25 (CNA) An exhibition of several precious and rare works by notable modern Taiwanese artists marked the opening of the preparatory office for the planned Tainan National Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday. 

"The Formosa Era: the Intellectual Enlightenment of Early Modern and Modern Art in Taiwan," was held in building 2 of the Tainan Art Museum, showcasing works by Taiwanese artists born before 1950, according to the Tainan Art Museum, which curated the show.

The venue where the exhibition is being held will be the site of the planned museum, according to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).

Visitors to the exhibition will first be greeted by the iconic "Daughter of Nectar" sculpture by modern Taiwanese pioneering sculpture Huang Tu-shui (黃土水) opposite the entrance of the venue.

The piece was donated by a collector to the MOC in 2021 and was designated a national treasure of the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name).

Several works by late painter Chen Cheng-po (陳澄波) were also on display at the venue, including the never-before-seen "Mount Putuo of the South China Sea."

Tainan Art Museum President Yu Wen-mei (游文玫) said the Formosa Era artwork included ink paintings, oil paintings and sculptures.

These works document artists' struggle to pursue innovation and change while staying true to their roots, which provides visitors with new insights into Taiwanese art, Yu said.

Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang (王時思) noted that the artwork at the exhibition represents the artists' attempts to define who they were and what Taiwan stood for.

As such, it is an excellent pilot exhibition for the planned Tainan National Museum of Art, Wang said.

The museum is set to be the first art museum dedicated to modern Taiwanese art and will focus on artwork from 1895 to 1960, according to the MOC in a recent press release.

The exhibition runs until July 6.