In a collaboration between the Cultural Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney and the Biennale of Sydney, Taiwanese indigenous artist Aluaiy Kaumakan (阿儒瓦苡・篙瑪竿) will display her latest large-scale installation art "Semasipu – Remembering Our Intimacies (觸摸：記得我們的關係感)" at the 23rd Biennale of Sydney until June 13.
Aluaiy Kaumakan, a textile sculptor and installation artist of Paiwan origin, is the only Taiwanese artist at the festival. In addition to her artwork, the exhibition will show Kaumakan's return to the tribe and her art creation through a documentary film. As an indigenous cultural exchange between Taiwan and Australia, curator Hannah Donnelly organized a performance by Australian indigenous dance troupe Jannawi Dance Clan and invited artistic director Jose Roca for dialogues at the forum.
Anne Flanagan, a board member of the Biennale, expressed her delight to partner with the Ministry of Culture and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney this time, praising that the Taiwan Spotlight Event held at the Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay is the best way to end the opening week of the Biennale.
Director-General Fan Huei-Chun (范惠君) of TECO in Sydney said that this year's Biennale not only reflects featured artists' perceptions of the environment, but embodies the democratic values shared by Taiwan and Australia. By participating in the festival, Kaumakan introduces Taiwanese indigenous art to the world and demonstrates the soft power of Taiwan.
Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has provided a platform for art and ideas, showcasing the work of nearly 1900 artists from more than 100 countries. As part of the 2022 edition, the Biennale presents over 330 artworks by 89 artists from more than 30 countries and hosts more than 400 events.
> MOC, Biennale of Sydney join forces to support Paiwan indigenous artist