"Nature Matters," a new art exhibition co-organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States and Art Bank Taiwan, will feature the works of eight Taiwanese artists who specialize in modern art at Twin Oaks Estate in Washington D.C. from Aug. 12, 2022, until July 2023.
This year, the exhibition focuses more on human beings' religious attitudes towards nature — particularly worship, love and gratitude. It highlights the positive environmental and social impact brought by sincere introspection and action, to encourage people to take notice of the earth's environmental crisis and take action to protect the planet. The participating artists include Iyo Kacaw (伊祐．噶照), Idas Losin (宜德思．盧信), Lin Chih-hang(林志航), Yuan Goang-ming (袁廣鳴), Sophie Chang (張淑芬), Yang Shun-fa (楊順發), Hsiao Ya-hsin (蕭雅心), and Yosifu Kacaw (優席夫．卡照).
The works of Yuan Goang-ming, Yang Shun-fa, and Lin Chi-hang highlight the changes that occur in the natural environment and how natural scenery is increasingly being replaced by artificial landscapes. Focusing on human-environment relationships, Sophie Chang's creative efforts, for example, are intertwined with her social service and a religion-inspired view on the cycle of life and nature. Meanwhile, Hsiao Ya-hsin connects nature, space and the environment in her artistic observation of nature.
Rooted in indigenous people's culture of human-nature coexistence, their arts are an introspective and hopeful look at environmental issues. Iyo Kacaw gives a new life to driftwood collected from beaches, turning it into insightful art pieces about the marine environment and economic development in his hometown. In his highly identifiable and vibrant style, Yosifu Kacaw explores issues such as natural living environments and cultural identities. Looking into his people's culture, Idas Losin's art raises concerns about the environment and advocates for land justice.
(Photo courtesy of Taiwan Fine Arts Foundation)