Artist Lu Ho-Chien has been selected for the Taichung City Artists Relay Exhibition, showcasing "Formosa: Phantom of Life" at the Huludun Cultural Center from May 23 to June 21. Lu draws upon his personal experiences of striving to forge a path through hardship and scarcity. Through the interplay of colors and emotions, he conveys a powerful life energy that emerges from the struggles of poverty, depicting warm and poignant stories from the land of Taiwan. Formosa-Taiwan is a place that celebrates humanity, where diverse cultures converge. In different eras, Formosa has been impacted or infused with different cultures. Apart from enriching the local culture, such mechanism of humanistic restructuring is believed to have indirectly created a set of unique attributes for the people living in Formosa-Taiwan.  Lu Ho-Chien, an artist from Formosa-Taiwan, uses artistic expression for his creation that dives deep into the Taiwan society. From Lu's paintings, we get to behold the contemplation of the Taiwanese people, how they perceive the world as one collective cultural group. It is commendable how aptly Lu Ho-Chien reflects his observation in his works.

According to the Huludun Cultural Center, Lu Ho-Chien dedicated two decades to the field of architectural interior design before making a resolute shift to artistic creation at the age of 40. He went on to establish a painting society and has since been actively involved in art-related public welfare initiatives. His efforts include volunteer teaching at nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and elementary schools, spreading the seeds of art throughout all corners of society. His paintings serve as a spiritual expression, transforming themes such as "longing," "state of mind," and "journey" into an impressionistic language of flowing light and shadow, displayed on canvases that blend the figurative and the abstract. Lu's works are distinguished by their ability to capture the delicate interplay between natural transformations and cultural landscapes, using color and line to construct spaces that reflect the inner spirit.
Lu Ho-Chien grew up in a labor-intensive environment alongside his parents, shaped by their humble background. He recalls, "When I was young, as long as I had a pencil, I could draw all day." The profound regret of losing his mother at an early age, coupled with the image of his parents working tirelessly to support the family, became the most significant emotional sources for his artistic creations. Among the works in this exhibition, Parallel Lines—a piece rendered in his signature representational landscape style and imbued with emotional depth—uses layered colors to depict his personal transition from designer to artist.
Back View is a heartfelt tribute to Lu’s mother, capturing the tender memory of her sewing clothes under dim lighting. Occupation portrays the tireless efforts of his father in supporting the family, while The Soul Summoner takes the form of a dreamscape to convey his sorrow and eventual acceptance of his grandmother’s passing.
"Formosa : Phantom of " is a profound reflection on the meaning of life by artist Lu Ho-Chien, centering on the essence of existence. Through his paintings, he contemplates the diversity and narratives inherent in life. In his creative process, he utilizes a variety of colors, light, and structures, transcending physical forms and relying solely on his inner emotions to explore the mysteries of the life journey. His work encompasses themes of life and death, love and hate, joy and impermanence, as well as time and space, and even other dimensions. Lu Ho-Chien hopes that through the creation of his artworks, he can engage in a contemplation of life's meaning across the present, past, and future, seeking a resonance that transcends time and space. This approach allows his works to present a multitude of possibilities and encourages viewers to ponder the essence of life. For more event information, please visit the center’s official website: https://www.huludun.taichung.gov.tw/.