Starting on June 23, a solo traveling exhibition featuring 25 artworks by Taiwanese artist Yu Chia-chi (達姆) has been presented at two art festivals in southern Italy: the "Countless Cities Biennale" in Favara and "The Cultural Festival of Mazzarino" in Mazzarino. The artist will later visit Catania to take part in the "Make in South" art festival in Sicily on Sept. 18, having discussions with audiences about her illustrations.
The traveling exhibition is part of the "Taiwan on Tour" (TATO) program, which was launched by the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Italy and the Cultural Association NOI ALTRI in Milan in 2022, and exhibited Yu’s drawings using a modified Fiat vintage van.
Yu's pieces, along with the distinctive design on the vehicle's exterior, at the Countless Cities Biennale, garnered significant attention from the public, attracting over a thousand visitors on the first day of the festival. Furthermore, Yu’s illustration creations, graphic publications, and specially designed stationery presented at the Cultural Festival of Mazzarino gained attention and popularity among the Italian public, showing their interest in and fondness for Taiwanese visual art.
According to the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Italy, this year's traveling exhibition features Yu's drawings from the past 10 years. The office also collaborated with exhibition companies in southern Italy to enhance the visibility of Taiwanese illustrators and works in Italy, to facilitate diverse opportunities for Taiwan Graphic IP to align with the Italian publishing market.
The illustration exhibition will be showcased at the Countless Cities Biennale in Favara until the end of January next year. In September, Yu will visit the "Make in South" art festival in Catania to host exchange and promotional events and lectures.
Yu graduated from the National Art School in Nancy, France. Since 2006, she has worked as a freelance illustrator, specializing in mixed materials and creating lively and intriguing illustrations.