Page 41 - 第18屆大墩美展專輯電子書

Juror's Statement, Craf ts Category Chuang, Po-Ho

Handicrafts and craftsmanship have developed alongside human civilization. Multi-area-work is an old Chinese term referring
to the miscellaneous craft-related industries present in ancient Chinese culture that produced functional, daily-use items. However,
these craftsmen needed to be highly skilled and, over time, their work expanded to include not only functional characteristics
satisfying daily needs but also the creation of pleasing aesthetics. The development of craftsmanship was originally also designed
to meet the needs of particular groups, activities or functions such as those of a religious, decorative or entertainment nature. This
underlines the fact that the crafts category of Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City is a vital part of this event.

Although Taiwan has a compact geographical area, it has developed a diversity of artistic and cultural styles. This is especially
the case for handicrafts, as Taiwanese artists have shown an ability to integrate local culture and materials into their works. Some
artists are even applying new technologies and techniques to their creations in ways that not only generate a pleasing aesthetic spirit
but also meet general needs of life.

th
The crafts category of the 18 Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City received a total of 87 submissions, including a
work from the Republic of Belarus. Among submitted pieces, 13 were selected for a final review and 12 candidates received awards-
-first, second and third prizes, three awards of merit, and six short-listed works. Below are statements regarding the submissions that
received the top three awards.

First Prize was given to Amusements at Taichung Park by Wang Pei-Wen. This work presents an important local landmark
Taichung Park built during the Japanese colonial period, when the lacquer arts and crafts industry was beginning to develop in
Taiwan. The artist tried to utilize innovative ideas alongside traditional crafts and incorporated several elements strongly connected
with the Taichung area into her work. She presents her work with traditional lacquer painting techniques and also utilizes shell
inlay, silver leaf and other elements. The kapok tree blossom was once the official flower of Taichung county before it merged with
Taichung city into a single municipality. This artwork portrays the lake pavilion in Taichung Park while also depicting kapok trees
and two Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonicus) birds.

The Second Prize work, Springtime by Wu Chung-Hsien, is a very technical piece, utilizing the skills of applying colors and
painting to glass. Taiwanese glass craftsmanship began in 1887, is now globally famous and continues to develop a growing number
of related techniques. Using blue tones as a base, the artist applied a multilayered technique to the piece, which displays ink painting-
like aesthetics. The final result is so immersive that I can see fish swimming around the pool in this work.

The Third Prize winner, The Jewel of the Forest by Lee Yi-Rong, provokes concerns about the environment. The art piece aims
to display the aesthetics of birds. The artist would like to stress to his audience that keeping stuffed specimens is not the best way of
preserving the beauty of animals. Therefore, he created a carving to illustrate that this can be a good substitute for real specimens.
The artist has spent a long time portraying birds in carvings, using methods that originated in the United States. This artwork was
created using wood and copper to portray the feathers, colors and texture of Pitta nympha (Fairy Pitta) very well. I even find other
elements of this carving, such as stones and leaves, also perfectly presented.

41