The list of recipients for the fifth annual Taichung City Master Craftsman honor has been officially announced. This year’s honorees—Liau Shen-wen(廖勝文), Shih Jia-siang(史嘉祥), and Li Shing-lung(李幸龍)—have long devoted themselves to craft creation and the preservation of traditional techniques, distinguishing themselves through excellence in their fields. A certification ceremony was held by the Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau on November 27, 2025, where Director Chen personally presented the certificates, affirming the three masters’ remarkable achievements in creativity, heritage preservation, and artistic innovation. In addition to receiving an award of NT$250,000, the winners will establish resident studios at the Taichung City Seaport Art Center, giving the public the opportunity to appreciate their craftsmanship up close and experience the contemporary vitality of traditional art.

This year’s awardees each excel in merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary creative expression, expanding the possibilities of the craft across diverse materials, forms, and conceptual approaches. Among them, lacquer artisan Liau Shen-wen carries a profound sense of mission in promoting lacquer art. Known for his stylistically diverse works, he is especially recognized for Bodiless lacquerware, while his lacquer paintings convey striking depth and maturity. Shih Jia-siang, whose practice spans ceramics, lacquer, and sculpture, has also taught lacquer craft at Taichung Prison for 28 years, passing down traditional knowledge through persistent, hands-on guidance. Li Shing-lung, a ceramic craftsman with more than four decades of experience, is celebrated for his refined mastery of form, texture, and surface treatment, and has earned multiple major awards.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau added that as of the fifth session, 14 artisans have received this honor.  Liau Shen-wen was selected for the National Art Exhibition R.O.C. the year after he began studying lacquer art, establishing himself as one of Taiwan’s leading contemporary lacquer artists. . Liau Shen-wen shared that he originally worked in pickle production and began pursuing lacquer art after experiencing muscle strain from labor-intensive work, hoping to bring lacquer craft back into everyday life.

Ceramic-lacquer artist Shih Jia-siang has long promoted the development of ceramic lacquer craftsmanship, with his works exhibited in many significant shows both at home and abroad. He describes clay as the “structure” of his works and lacquer as their “spirit,” and continues to challenge technical boundaries through an experimental approach that revitalizes ancient craft traditions within a contemporary context.

Master craftsman Li Shing-lung, known for integrating ceramic and lacquer techniques, was designated a Taichung City Ceramic Art Preservationist in 2014. With over 40 years dedicated to ceramic practice, his works are admired for their tranquil, introspective, and enduring aesthetic. In recent years, he has further explored the relationship between teapots and tea culture, developing distinctive perspectives in the field of teapot art. Li Shing-lung notes that the rustic earthiness of clay and the subtle refinement of lacquer fuse within his work, generating new layers of creative possibility.