The Taichung City Female Artists Invitational Exhibition, Taiwan’s largest government-hosted art showcase for female artists, is now open at the Dadun Cultural Center until March 26. The exhibition’s key visual is inspired by Taichung’s city flower, the Mountain Cherry, which symbolizes purity, a warm smile, and elegance—a perfect reflection of the artists' pure and unwavering creative spirit. The delicate layers of pink petals represent the richness and diversity of women's creative energy, radiating grace and vitality. The public is invited to experience this extraordinary celebration of beauty.

According to Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Chen Chia-Chun, this annual exhibition, exclusively for female artists from Taichung, celebrates its 21st year in 2025. Since 2005, the Taichung City Government has organized this nationwide, large-scale invitational exhibition that purely showcases women's talent during Women's Day celebrations. The exhibition highlights exceptional local female artists, honors their artistic achievements, and fosters a dialogue between female artists and the public. This year’s exhibition presents a diverse collection of works, covering oil painting, watercolor painting, gouache painting, ink painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, photography, sculpture, crafts, prints and acrylic, and mixed media. Spanning three generations, participating artists range in age from 25 to 93, with each piece showcasing distinctive artistic charm and ingenuity.

Artist Jiang Jin-Yun sees this exhibition as a remarkable opportunity to witness the diverse creative styles and life experiences of female artists, believing it serves as a great encouragement for women. She shared, “In my early years, I couldn’t pursue art because my mother disapproved. It wasn’t until after retirement that I finally returned to creating. Over time, as I received numerous awards, my mother went from disapproving to proudly showing my prize-winning works to relatives and friends.” For this exhibition, she presents her gouache painting “Moonlight,” which depicts dragon fruit from her own garden, symbolizing the vitality blooming under the moon. Meanwhile, artist Wu Ming-Zhu’s ink painting “Ripples” captures the shimmering water’s surface through simple yet expressive brushstrokes, evoking a sense of vastness. Wu acknowledges that female artists often face challenges balancing family, career, and personal passions, which requires significant effort. However, she emphasizes that staying true to one’s passion and persevering is essential for achieving success in the art world.

Artist Zeng Shu-Hui expresses her appreciation for the exhibition, calling it a valuable platform for female artists to showcase their talent and share their ideas. “Being a female artist in Taichung is a blessing. I participate in this exhibition every year—it feels like returning to my natal home, filled with warmth.” Her oil painting, “Dajia Wenchang Temple,” captures the grandeur and historical depth of traditional architecture through bright colors and dynamic light and shadows, creating a poetic blend of past and present. Quoting her mentor Yang Qi-Dong’s motto, “Ars longa, vita brevis” (“Life is as fleeting as morning dew, but art lives on for generations”), she encourages young female artists, emphasizing that true art is timeless and deeply moving. Zeng also stresses that art is gender-neutral, stating, “Willpower determines strength! Strength isn’t tied to any one gender—it is the shared pursuit of all artists.”

According to Chen Wen-Jin, Director of the Dadun Cultural Center, female artists often encounter greater challenges than their male counterparts, as they must juggle multiple roles, including family, marriage, and childcare. Balancing personal artistic pursuits with family responsibilities can be difficult. Yet, with societal progress, women have redefined their roles beyond traditional expectations, and art has become an important outlet for self-expression. The Taichung City Government hopes this exhibition will not only recognize talented female artists but also challenge gender stereotypes, contributing to a more equitable and gender-friendly society. The 2025 Taichung City Female Artists Invitational Exhibition runs until March 26, and the public is welcome to visit. For more information, visit the Dadun Cultural Center’s official website (www.dadun.culture.taichung.gov.tw).