The Minister of Culture announced the list of award winners of the 41st National Cultural Award on Jan. 18, including lacquer artist Wang Ching-shuang (王清霜), poet Li Min-yung (李敏勇), conductor Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉).
Minister of Culture Lee Yung-te sent a telegram of congratulations to three recipients in recognition of their outstanding performances in the fields of crafts, literature, and music.
Born in Taichung Kamioka in 1922, Wang studied the lacquer painting in Japan under the masters such as Wada Sanzo (和田三造), Hano Teizo (羽野禎三) and Koumo Touzan (河面冬山). After returning home in 1944, he was selected for the first provincial art exhibition in 1946 with his glue color and sculpture works. In 1954, he and the contemporary master craftsman Yen Shui-lung (顏水龍) jointly founded the "Nantou County Craft Seminar" in Caotun Township, actively promoting the development of Taiwanese craftsmanship and culture. Wang, who is known for the complicated "Taka Makia (高蒔繪)" technique, has devoted himself to the creation and education of lacquer for more than 80 years. His life stories as the lacquer artist represent the modern history of the development of Taiwan's craftsmanship.
Li was born in Kaohsiung Qishan in 1947. He was nurtured in poetry circles in the late 1960s, and later stepped into fiction, essays, literary reviews, and translations. His works are of strong social interest. He is well-known for his advocacy for social issues and public affairs and made significant contributions to the establishment of the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum.
Born in Hsinchu Zhudong in 1960, Lu was invited to conduct two repertoires of the Munich Philharmonic in Taiwan in 1994, and his outstanding performance won unanimously praise from the international media. He began to work closely with the international symphony orchestra. After becoming an established conductor, Lu returned to Taiwan in 2010 to serve as music director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO, also known as Taiwan Philharmonic). From 2010 to 2020, he led the group to perform in cities including Berlin, Milan, Paris and Tokyo. He is now the NSO Conductor Emeritus.
Minister Lee stated that the award is deserved recognition for Li, Lu and Wang's outstanding achievements and contributions to local culture. Their lifelong dedication to promoting the arts and raising Taiwan's international profile is deeply appreciated, he added.
Established in 1980, the Executive Yuan National Cultural Award is a lifetime achievement award that honors those who have made special contributions to the maintenance or enhancement of culture, and is the highest honor for an individual in the cultural community.