Noted photographer and curator Suan Hooi-wah (全會華) passed away on Aug. 12 at the age of 71. Culture Minister Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences upon hearing this news. He commended Suan, a participant and witness to the development of Taiwan’s photography art since 1990, for his pivotal role in promoting photography art and education in the country.
Born in 1953 in Malaysia, Suan developed a keen interest in photography from a young age. During high school, he traveled alone to Japan to study photography and subsequently graduated from the Tokyo Polytechnic University in 1980. During the 1990s, he visited Taiwan and decided to settle on the island, recognizing its potential in the field of photography.
Suan held leadership roles in several organizations and institutions, including serving as the director of the Taiwan International Visual Arts Center (TIVAC) and the producer of the Taiwan Photo Fair. He also co-founded the Preparatory Office of the National Center of Photography and Images (臺灣攝影博物館推動成立籌備處) and the Society of Photographic Museum and Culture of Taiwan (臺灣攝影博物館文化學會).
Suan’s photography publications include “The Complete Works of Suan Hooi-wah (全會華攝影作品集)” and “Garden in the Net (網中花園).” His invaluable photographic works are part of the collection at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
(Photo credit: National Center of Photography and Images)