Page 265 - 第18屆大墩美展專輯電子書

Juror's Statement, Ink Wash Painting Category Yuan Chin-Taa

The Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition was the predecessor of the Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City, and has officially been
an international competition for several years. I believe that regardless of whether it is called the Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition or Da
Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City, the title does not affect its importance. This competition features a diverse range of candidates and
artistic categories, while the number of submissions and artists grows each year. The Da Dun Prize, awarded to the best of the best artworks in
the Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City, also provides awards of NT$240,000 to each winning artist. The standards and quality of the
awards ceremony, jury and judging all mean that this exhibition/competition has become a highly-respected, landmark event and an outstanding
platform for artists to showcase their talents.

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The ink wash painting category of the 18 Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City received a total of 196 submitted artworks, of which
10 were from overseas, including four works from China, two works from Malaysia and others from Argentina, Japan, Singapore and Moldova.
The jurors for this category were Lee Huei-Chen, Lin Chin-Chung, Huang Tsai-Sung, Wang Yung-Tung, and me. Judging during the preliminary
review resulted in 30 works (two from overseas) entering the final review stage. In the end, 25 works received awards: first, second and third
prizes, plus four Award of Merit recipients (including one piece from China), and 18 short-listed works. It is my belief that all of the artists whose
works were selected for the final review have demonstrated outstanding talent.

In this year s competition, I have noticed a growing trend in the realm of ink wash painting, as more artists are beginning to present their
ideas with a distinctly Taiwanese style. It is such a positive sign that Taiwanese artists have developed their styles based on local themes. Although
Western art still influences them, they know how to fuse this with Taiwanese themes. Therefore, I believe that local artists have created their own
style from a diversity of influences, showing an ability to create artworks based on local topics because of their concerns regarding their lives and
the environment. Time after time, I have been delighted to see that the Taiwanese style of ink wash painting is becoming more popular, and award
recipients perfectly demonstrate this trend.

The First Prize winner, Riding with the Wind by Lo Yu-Chun, portrays a scene from a stressful modern lifestyle, with people seeking

moments of relaxation by bicycling. The main subject in the work is a man cycling while a girl sits behind him. They are positioned in the center
of the painting, surrounded by other people. The artist darkened the rest of the canvas with black ink, while illuminating the girl with vivid red,
giving the piece a strongly-contrasting style. It is truly a great work with an outstanding composition.

The Second Prize recipient, Fantasy by Tsai Yi-Te, was painted to present the male artist's imagined perspective of women. The piece shows

a peeping Tom s view of a female fitting room and successfully conveys men s fantasies about women. Large blank areas present the contrast
between the background and the characters. The composition is creative and interesting, making this overall a great work.

Awarded the Third Prize, A Lone Traveler by Qian, Rui-Ying illustrates the wayfarer s enjoyment of solitude and depicts nature. The main
character is placed in the middle of the work and is a strong focal point. She is enjoying a fantasy about the landscape and her surroundings while
sitting with her eyes closed. The girl successfully represents the wayfarer s joy of travel.

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