The Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau presents a July program that brings together artistic excellence and thoughtful dialogue. From now through July 8, Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center is hosting "Ink Landscapes: Li Hui-Cheng 85-Year Retrospective," showcasing the artistic legacy and creative achievements of renowned ink painter Professor Li Hui-Cheng over his 85-year life. On July 18 (Saturday) at 2:00 p.m., the Dadun Masters Lecture will feature acclaimed television host Chen Ming-Chu, who will speak on "AI May Speak Fluently, But Can We Speak More Truthfully?" The lecture explores authentic expression and meaningful communication in the AI era, inviting the public to experience the power of both art and human connection.

According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, "Ink Landscapes" is more than a retrospective—it is a visual record of an artist's lifelong dialogue with the land and the changing times. Marking Professor Li's 85th year, the exhibition brings together his most representative works for the first time, tracing more than six decades of artistic practice and revealing how he has used ink to reflect on life and capture the spirit of his era.

Born in 1941 into a farming family in Nantun, Taichung, Li grew up between Dadu Mountain and the Fazi River, where the local landscape profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His deep attachment to his homeland evolved into a distinctive artistic language rooted in the land. Favoring bold ink washes and deliberately rugged brushwork over polished refinement, he developed a highly recognizable style embodying the Eastern ideal of "great skill appearing simple." A graduate of the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University, Li studied under renowned masters Lu Fo-Ting, Li Chung-Sheng, Huang Chun-Pi, Lin Yu-Shan, and Li Tse-Fan, before pursuing further studies at Daito Bunka University in Japan. During more than six decades of teaching, he inspired generations of artists at National Tsing Hua University, Tunghai University, and National Taichung University of Education.

The exhibition features many of Li's signature works. His early masterpiece "Mountain Light, Boat Shadows" captures the power of ink through bold, monumental landscapes, while the recent "Journey Through Streams and Mountains" introduces vibrant blue-green pigments and Japanese colors, bringing fresh warmth to his signature style. "After painting in black for so many years, I wanted to add some color," Li said with a smile. "It felt wonderful." The remark reflects his lifelong spirit of artistic exploration.

Beyond the exhibition, Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center continues its Dadun Masters Lecture series, inviting distinguished speakers from various fields to share their expertise and life experiences. On July 18, Chen Ming-Chu will draw on her extensive experience in broadcasting, television, and public speaking to explore how language, communication, and human relationships are evolving in the age of artificial intelligence.

Fluent in Hakka, Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English, Chen has hosted numerous major national ceremonies, including the Presidential Inauguration, the Golden Bell Awards red carpet, and other prestigious events. She is also well known for promoting Hakka culture through television and radio programs such as Hakka Girl Check-In and Elegance on the Hills, earning multiple Golden Bell Award nominations and the affectionate nickname "Taiwan's Daughter."

Chen believes that while technology has made Interaction faster and more fluent, genuine understanding has become increasingly rare. "Moving communication is not about polished techniques," she says, "but about listening, understanding, and meeting one another with sincerity. Before asking to be understood, perhaps we should first try to understand others. No matter how advanced technology becomes, the warmth and trust built through genuine human connection remain irreplaceable."

Online registration for Chen Ming-Chu's lecture opens at 9:00 a.m. on June 29. The exhibition "Ink Landscapes: Li Hui-Cheng 85-Year Retrospective" runs through July 8. For more information about the exhibition and related events, please visit the Dadun Cultural Center website.(https://www.dadun.culture.taichung.gov.tw/)