Page 123 - 第19屆大墩美展專輯電子書

Juror’s Statement, Printmaking Category NI Chao-Long

The first Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City was held in 1996, featuring lucrative awards and a call for participating artists from
across the nation. With continuing efforts by the organizer and enormous participation from artists, it has played an important role in promoting art
across the artistic history of Taiwan during the past 19 years. Since 2002, it has transformed into an international event and attracted artists from all
over the world, with entries increasing each year. Thus, it is undoubtedly among the most popular international art platforms and a great medium for
promoting art beyond Taiwan's borders.
There were over 1,300 submissions in all categories this year. Among these were five foreign printmaking entries: one each from India, Malaysia

and Brazil, and two from the United States. On May 18, 2014, jurors LEE Shi-Chi, NI Chao-Long, CHEN Kuo-Chan, CHUNG You-Hui and HUANG
Shih-Tuan reviewed and nominated 11 entries, including one from the United States and one from India. It was a fair and open competition that saw

10 finalists (including the winners of the top three prizes and two awards of merit, and five shortlisted works) awarded on June 24, 2014.

.
First Prize winner "Penetration Desire" by TSAI Meng-Hsia was an intaglio etching print. Based on John Berger's sociology and ideology,
the artist explored the interactions and lifestyles between man and animals. "Desire" was essential for "cat", according to the artist; she interpreted it
and implied that the way "cat" and "man" looked at each other as that of the "similarity and dissimilarity" in parallel behaviors, relationships and the
essence of life. It's an artwork that visitors will stop and think about.
CHIANG Chih-Hsuan, the winner of Second Prize for "Transform", used an acrylic intaglio plate to lay out the story through an owl with eyes
closed, listening, feeling and imagining, leading visitors into a world of imagination. It's a delicate black and white engraving work of art that may
attract visitors.

The Third Prize went to "Noah's Leaf", created on Da Vinci paper with intaglio mezzotint printmaking by KAO Chun-Ying. Water nurtures;
Noah's Leaf carries lives that-like the saint-like surfing "female figure"-time froze. Through sketch carving in black and white, the artist brought about

a surreal impression that is completely different from most cut-and-assembly techniques.
The only awarded woodcut was "Roar at the Sun" by Max CHANG, winner of an Award of Merit. It is done with traditional engraving with
an up-looking and displacement composition accompanied by the use of Japanese paper and gold leaf. The guardian lion is a metaphor for the artist
himself, who voices doubts in life and in soul. The rubber expression combines traditional and modern techniques that represent the trends and
humanity of the era. It's a work that led the artist from traditional to modern art.

"In the Story" by YANG Wen-Yu uses a paper plate with an upside-down placement to present the idea of one flower and one kingdom in
life. Its colorful blossoms and story-like impression make it almost painting-like. The remaining Award of Merit winners all expressed their own
personalities and executed their works well. More awards would have been given out if it wasn't for limited gallery space.
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The 19 Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City printmaking awards demonstrated modernism, freedom of expression in art, and hard
work by a new generation. Most entries seemed to be done in a studio due to space restrictions, and thus there were similarities in subjects and
techniques. As globalization continues, through learning and interaction printmaking artists are expected to share the same goal of contributing to the
legacy, innovation and originality of Taiwanese modern art.

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