Tainan: 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.
According to Focus Taiwan, "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, as curated by the Tainan Art Museum. The venue of the exhibition will serve as the site for the planned museum, as confirmed by the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
Visitors to the exhibition are greeted by the iconic "Daughter of Nectar" sculpture by pioneering modern Taiwanese sculptor Huang Tu-shui, displayed opposite the entrance. This piece was donated by a collector to the MOC in 2021 and has since been designated a national treasure of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name).
The exhibition also features several works by late painter Chen Cheng-po, including the never-before-seen "Mount Putuo of the South China Sea." Tainan Art Museum President Yu Wen-mei highlighted that the Formosa Era artwork includes ink paintings, oil paintings, and sculptures, documenting artists' struggles to innovate while remaining true to their roots, offering visitors new insights into Taiwanese art.
Deputy Minister of Culture Sue Wang emphasized that the artwork represents the artists' attempts to define their identity and what Taiwan stands for, making it an ideal pilot exhibition for the planned Tainan National Museum of Art. The museum is set to be the first art museum dedicated to modern Taiwanese art, focusing on artwork from 1895 to 1960, as stated by the MOC in a recent press release.