World-renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara will arrive in Taiwan on March 29 to begin a 19-day residency in Taiwan. Meanwhile, his ten-year touring exhibition "Traveling with Hazy Humid Day (跟著朦朧潮濕的一天去旅行)" will kick off on April 1 at Neiwei Arts Center (NWAC) in Kaohsiung. Organized by GACC, Yoshitomo Nara Foundation (Japan General Incorporated Foundation), and Kaohsiung City Government, the exhibition will be on display from April 1 to August 31.
Not only is this the artist's first residency in Taiwan but also his first participation in an overseas artist-in-residence program. "This reminds me of my teenage years when I left for Tokyo alone," Nara said in the General Association of Chinese Culture (GACC) press release.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) shared that he looks forward to introducing the artist to Kaohsiung’s delicacy as well as Hamasen’s (哈瑪星) historic sites, ecology trails, and military village cuisine. He believes that the scenery of Kaohsiung and the kindness of local people will leave a deep impression.
GACC's Deputy Secretary-General Lee Hou-ching (李厚慶) said Nara is excited about this trip even though he has visited Taiwan several times, and has been planning a travel itinerary for an in-depth exploration of Taiwan. Lee hopes to see how this trip will spark Nara's inspiration for his new works.
(Photo credit: GACC, Kaohsiung City Government)