"Breaking Ground" Exhibition Returns to Taiwan from the US, Spotlighting Indigenous Art and Social Activism

(Central News Agency reporter Wang Pao-er, Taipei, 23rd) The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Museum of Contemporary Native Arts co-organized the exhibition "Breaking Ground" last year to explore the social activism and participation of Taiwan's indigenous art. After the exhibition concluded in the United States, it returned to Taiwan and is now on display at the Ministry of Culture Gallery starting today.

The exhibition "Breaking Ground: Art and Activism in Indigenous Taiwan" gathers 10 Taiwanese indigenous artists (or groups). It was exhibited in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, from August last year to January this year. As the exhibits returned to Taiwan, an opening ceremony was held today at the Ministry of Culture Gallery.

Curator Nakaw Putun mentioned at the opening ceremony that this exhibition reinterprets identity through art: "Who are we? Where do we live? Where do we come from? Through art, more people can understand our culture and converse with the world."

Curator Lai Chun-chieh believes this exhibition is a rare opportunity. Besides mutual learning with Taiwanese artists, the international exchange provides a deeper understanding of the situation of indigenous peoples globally in contemporary society, and how they respond to and heal wounds when facing visible and invisible oppression.

Artist Chang En-man stated that the most precious part was not just participating in the exhibition, but engaging in exchanges with the indigenous art community in Santa Fe. For instance, the museum arranged interactions between local Native American artists and Taiwanese indigenous artists to collaborate on murals, portraits, or engage with the public. "I want to say that the creations of our artists are not merely visual displays; they represent an ongoing search for meaning."

Deputy Minister of Culture Hsu Yi-chun stated that the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is a crucial platform for the Ministry's international art promotion. Over the years, it has driven many important exhibitions. Supported by the Ministry's "Black Current Project", collaborating with the IAIA Museum on the "Contemporary Indigenous Art and Activism in Taiwan" project and achieving excellent results is no easy feat.

NTMoFA Director Chen Kuang-yi thanked all participants for their dedication, which made it possible to showcase the critical power and creativity of Taiwan's indigenous contemporary art in Santa Fe, a major center for Native American art. He expects the Taipei exhibition to allow citizens to closely experience how these 10 artists use art as a medium to converse with the world.

The "Breaking Ground: Art and Activism in Indigenous Taiwan" Taipei exhibition runs from today until August 21 at the Ministry of Culture Gallery. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150423

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