Esteemed Taiwanese photographer Chang Chao-tang (張照堂) passed away on April 2 at the age of 81. Upon hearing this news, Culture Minister Shih Che expressed his sincerest condolences and commended Chang’s significant contributions across various fields, including photography, television shows, feature films, documentaries, and experimental films. He noted that Chang’s pioneering work elevated video art in Taiwan to new heights.
Born in Banqiao District (板橋) in 1943, he pursued civil engineering studies at National Taiwan University. After graduation, he held positions at China Television Company, the Public Television Service Preparatory Committee, and Super Television Limited. Starting in 1997, he served as a lecturer at Tainan National College of the Arts (now Tainan National University of the Arts, 國立臺南藝術大學), and was later appointed as an honorary professor upon his retirement in 2009.
Renowned for his skills in photography and filmmaking, he received numerous accolades, including the National Award for Arts in 1999, the National Cultural Award in 2011, the Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, and the Taiwan International Documentary Festival Award in 2024.