Taiwan contemporary art in Singapore
The public spaces at the representative office are like mini art galleries, displaying works by the new generation of artists in Taiwan. “Art enhances the atmosphere of daily life,” says Representative Francis Kuo-hsin Liang. Corridors that were once gloomy have now become corners where office staff and visitors stop and enjoy artworks.
Under a program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, for periods of one year each the Taiwan Art Bank arranges the display of works by contemporary Taiwanese artists in overseas representative offices. The theme of the current exhibit in Singapore is “Taiwan in Full Bloom,” and it highlights the richness and beauty of Taiwan. For example, the work Gentle Breeze by Tsai Shih-mei looks like an ink-wash painting done in green ink, but in fact she uses black ink on green paper to outline grass in a meadow waving in the wind. Standing in front of the painting, one can almost smell the fragrance of green grass blowing on the breeze.
The official residence of the Taiwan representative in Singapore, which similarly hosts frequent visits by foreign dignitaries, also has contemporary Taiwanese artworks on display. Francis Liang doubles as guide, introducing the meaning and character of the works shown there.
Before going on display in the representative office, paintings are first put on preliminary show at other exhibition spaces in Singapore, open to the public free of charge. Many visitors who attend these shows are amazed by the level of artistic creativity in Taiwan, and some even express a desire to buy works on display. Although the purpose of these shows is to promote awareness rather than make sales, the artists at least gain recognition from them.
Francis Liang says: “The innovation, experimentalism and dynamism revealed by Taiwan art are very well received in Singapore.” You can also often see Taiwanese groups appearing at Singapore’s largest performance venue, Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay. For example, Cloud Gate Dance Theater and the Godot Theatre Company have been invited to perform there.
Francis Liang, Taiwan’s representative in Singapore, says that showing contemporary Taiwanese art in overseas offices of the Taiwan government is a concrete expression of national cultural policies.