This year, the 2024 Taichung City Senior Outstanding Artists were chosen. The eight honored artists are Ni Chao-Lung(倪朝龍), Wang Ying-Hsin(王英信), Yang Yen-Nang(楊嚴囊), Wu Jung-Tsung(吳榮宗), Tsai Cheng-I(蔡正一), Shih Yung-Hua(施永華), Huang Ying-Pu(黃映蒲), and Cheng Tai-Le(程代勒). The Cultural Affairs Bureau hosted an opening event and award ceremony on November 23, where Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-Chun presented the awards. The exhibition will be on display at the Da Dun Art Gallery in the Taichung City Dadun Cultural Center from November 23 to December 11, featuring a variety of works from these eight renowned artists. The showcased pieces span oil painting, ink wash painting, printmaking, calligraphy, sculpture, and crafts, highlighting their diverse artistic techniques and styles. The public is encouraged to attend and enjoy this artistic feast.
According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, artist Ni Chao-Lung is known for his expertise in woodcut printmaking and his contributions to education, particularly in fostering children's art; artist Wang Ying-Hsin is a master of figure sculpture, and his exceptional achievements have granted him permanent exemption from the review process in the Tai-Yang Art Exhibition(臺陽美展); artist Yang Yen-Nang excels at creating rich textures using various materials, and his works have earned multiple awards, making him a permanent artist with no review needed in the Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition(全省美展); artist Wu Jung-Tsung draws from his personal experiences and observations in daily lives to skillfully blend the aesthetic imagery of both Chinese and Western cultures using colored inks.
Meanwhile, artist Tsai Cheng-I founded the Fun Year Art Gallery(凡亞藝術空間) to promote contemporary art and offer a platform for exhibitions; artist Shih Yung-Hua’s calligraphy features rich brush techniques, creating a sense of movement like music and forming a distinctive personal style; artist Huang Ying-Pu, a self-taught sculptor, has achieved exceptional artistic skill and has contributed to art education by helping rehabilitate and mentor inmates, earning multiple honors, including recognition as an honorary probation officer by the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office; artist Cheng Tai-Le, who works in Chinese painting and seal engraving, challenges traditional norms, and his calligraphy earned him first place in the National Art Exhibition R.O.C(全國美展), granting him permanent exemption from review.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that to honor those who have dedicated their lives to art creation and education, the Taichung City Government has been holding the Senior Outstanding Artists award since 1985. Over a hundred artists have been recognized so far. This award is presented every three years, and the recipients must be at least 65 years old, have lived or worked in Taichung for over 10 years, and have been involved in artistic creation for over 20 years. Those who have contributed to both art creation and art education can be nominated by art groups, institutions, schools, or individuals in Taichung, with the final selection being made after a review by the Cultural Affairs Bureau.