The work by the 24 artists in the show illustrates the changes in Taiwanese society. It was divided by co-curators Liu and U of L’s John Begley into three generations. The first generation, reared in the early 20th century, was greatly influenced by politics, as Taiwan had been occupied by Japan since the late 1800s. Drawings, paintings and sculpture from these older artists is more native, as in “Alley in the Rain” by Ho, Huai-Shuo. This work is traditional in medium (scroll ink drawing) as well as subject matter (a person under an umbrella walking between two rows of houses seen from a bird’s-eye view).
The second generation is the transitional section, coming of age after Taiwan was returned to China after World War II. Many of these artists were torn between the East and West, with some moving to Western countries and signing their names in the Western style. Charles Liu is from this in-between group, inspired by the Asian love of nature, yet drawing an American scene, “Panorama of Yosemite,” in ink. Co-curator Begley is particularity fond of this generation’s transitional works. “I find the mix of Eastern technique and Western subject or vice versa intriguing,” he says.
The group that is the most international is the third generation. These artists don’t have to decide whether their art needs to reflect their Eastern heritage or Western influence, as it can be both. This is also the time when women artists, such as Grace Y.T. Tong, find their voices. Her oversized linear drawing, entitled “Spirited like a far-journeying steed. Floating like a duck on water,” consists of 12 panels and covers an entire gallery wall. It resembles traditional calligraphy but seems to be looser in form, becoming similar to Abstract Expressionism.
Co-curator Liu feels the changes in Taiwanese art during the 20th and 21st centuries can be expressed best by the words of writer Chen Fan-Ming. In writing about the rivers of Taiwan, he describes, “As the season changes, both the angry currents and smooth flowing waters can be seen in Choshui River. During the summertime, unstoppable currents are coming down, sweeping every inch of riverbanks. After fall, when the drought season comes, those rocks on the river bed are helplessly looking up (at) the sky.”
“Place.Displace” is a touring exhibition. After its run in Louisville, it will travel to Los Angeles, Vancouver and Columbus, Ga., then return to the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.
“Place/Displace: Three Generations of Taiwanese Art” is at U of L’s Hite Art Institute through Jan. 15. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. (The gallery will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2.) Admission is free. For more info, call 852-4483 or visit www.art.louisville.edu.
