Taiwanese artist Jun T. Lai's 'Flower of Hope' blooms at Expo 2025 Osaka

Taipei, April 13 (CNA) Taiwanese artist Jun T. Lai (賴純純) has been invited to showcase her large-scale installation sculpture, "Flower of Hope," at Expo 2025 Osaka, making her Taiwan's sole representative in the event's public art program.

Lai, one of 20 international artists featured in the public art program, told CNA on Sunday that her 4-by-2.9-meter lotus-inspired stainless steel sculpture seeks to reflect a respect for cultural diversity, aligning with the theme of the expo.

The sculpture seeks to convey Taiwan's image as "a blossoming flower in the Pacific Ocean" to the world, Lai added.

Flower of Hope, previously exhibited at London's "Sculpture in the City" event, is now installed at the East Entrance of Yumeshima, the man-made island where the expo is held.

It will remain on display throughout the expo, which opened Sunday and runs until Oct. 13.

According to Lai, she will engage visitors through a character inspired by Alice from "Alice in Wonderland," distributing flower masks and inviting participants to dance, highlighting female empowerment and transformation in a separate interactive performance scheduled for mid-May.