A groundbreaking exhibition, "Huang Tu-Shui and His Time: Taiwan's First Western-style Sculptor and the Tokyo Fine Arts School in the Early 20th Century," has opened at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts (TUA). This collaborative effort between the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA) and TUA showcases 58 works by Taiwanese and Japanese artists, highlighting the artistic exchanges between the two countries in the early 20th century.
Sakyamuni Buddha at the exhibition "Water of Immortality" Courtesy of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
The exhibition centers on Huang Tu-Shui (1895-1930), a pioneering Taiwanese sculptor who studied at the Tokyo Fine Arts School from 1915 to 1922. Huang's masterpiece, "Water of Immortality," designated as a national treasure in Taiwan in 2023, is a focal point of the exhibition. The show features ten of Huang's works, including sculptures and related archives, demonstrating his unique blend of Western techniques and Eastern aesthetics.
Alongside Huang's pieces, the exhibition presents works by his Japanese contemporaries and mentors, such as Koun Takamura and Kotaro Takamura, as well as other Taiwanese artists who studied in Japan. This curation offers visitors a comprehensive view of the artistic landscape during Japan's Taisho period (1912-1926), a time of cultural fusion and artistic innovation.
The exhibition not only celebrates Huang Tu-Shui's contributions to modern Taiwanese art but also explores the broader context of cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan. It provides insights into how artists of the time integrated Western influences while maintaining their cultural identities.
Sakyamuni Buddha at the exhibition "Huang Tu-Shui and His Time" Courtesy of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
Sakyamuni Buddha at the exhibition "On the way home" Courtesy of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
A seminar featuring researchers from both NTMoFA and TUA will be held on September 6th, offering deeper insights into Huang's work and the exhibition's historical context. The exhibition runs until October 20th, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the dawn of modern Taiwanese art and understand the rich history of artistic exchange between Taiwan and Japan.
Huang Tu-Shui and His Time: Taiwan's First Western-style Sculptor and the Tokyo Fine Arts School in the Early 20th Century
Exhibition Period: 6 September – 20 October 2024
Venue: University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan
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