The winners of the 8th Taichung Fiber Creation Award have been announced. After a two-stage professional review, the Design Category Grand Prize went to Fan Jun-Qi for Coral Geometric Form, while Wong Siu-Sze from Hong Kong received the Art Category Grand Prize for Thrive Within the Soul. Both winners will each receive NT$120,000. According to the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, this year’s entries showcased a wide range of materials and themes, reflecting the creativity and innovation of fiber artists in Taiwan and beyond.

The Bureau noted that the Museum of Fiber Art (MOFIA) in Taichung is the only museum in Taiwan dedicated exclusively to fiber. Through the Taichung Fiber Creation Award, MOFIA encourages artists to explore new possibilities in materials, techniques, and ideas. The competition has become a key event in Taiwan’s fiber craft field. This year, 219 submissions were received from Taiwan and international residents, including three from Hong Kong and one from Vietnam. In total, 50 winning works were selected across the Design and Art categories, with prize money totaling NT$680,000. The winning works will be on view at MOFIA from October 31, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 8.

The Design Category Grand Prize went to Fan Jun-Qi, who had previously received Third Prize in 2024 with Guardian Beasts of Taiwan. His new work, Coral Geometric Form, takes inspiration from Taiwan’s reputation as the “Kingdom of Coral.” By applying geometric principles to coral growth patterns and making use of the natural interlocking properties of wool, Fan created an innovative “one-piece formation” design. Judges praised how he combined garment and bag patternmaking with the radiating structures of coral, merging them seamlessly with the human body. The work not only shows the creative potential of fiber materials but also calls attention to marine ecological conservation.

The Art Category Grand Prize was awarded to Wong Siu-Sze from Hong Kong. Her work, Thrive Within the Soul, is a dress crafted with hot-melt adhesive to mimic the translucent texture of mycelium. The piece offers a microscopic look at the symbiotic ties between mycelium and nature. Entirely handmade from scratch, it symbolizes the slow growth of relationships and the hidden but essential forces of life. Judges said the work showed both excellent technique and a unique blend of natural science, spirituality, and art, reflecting the richness of fiber art today.

The jury noted that over the years, the Taichung Fiber Creation Award has revealed not only growing technical skill but also a boldness in experimenting with unconventional materials and addressing contemporary issues. The competition highlights the many layers of meaning in fiber craft.

MOFIA added that this year’s winners’ exhibition will be curated by Kuo Chung-Yuan, Director of Studio Midway and a member of the jury. His curatorial approach will guide audiences to experience these vibrant works and see how fiber art continues to evolve in contemporary society. The full list of winners is available on the museum’s official website (https://mofia.taichung.gov.tw/) and Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/mofiataichung).