On August 7, Yiong Con-ziin, Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), attended the press conference for the exhibition A Dimension to be Found: Hakka Narrative in Calligraphy in Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center as part of the Hakka Expo. The exhibition showcases the ideas of Hakka calligraphers from different eras regarding traditional cultural values and the Hakka ethnicity. Visitors are treated to a feast of Taiwanese Hakka calligraphy in all its beauty.
Minister Yiong said that the exhibition features the unique styles of calligraphy works by Hakka artists from different ages. Additionally, these provide a window into Taiwanese Hakka artists’ methods of collaborating with and opposing the ruling power, as well as seeking and opening up new avenues for thought and creativity, under different political environments. Works by a younger generation of Hakka artists demonstrate their ways of expressing a sense of recognition with their land and ethnicity through words. It is hoped that the exhibition will demonstrate the outstanding talent of the Taiwanese Hakka people across art forms, encouraging Hakka artists to enrich and bring greater variety to the Taiwanese art world in the future.
Calligraphy art from the early 20th century to contemporary times is especially selected for this exhibition. The distinct guises of calligraphy by Taiwanese Hakka are organized anew to tell a story of artistic transmission and literary influence from the perspective of ethnic migration. This aligns perfectly with the Hakka Expo’s main theme of “Travel to Tomorrow”. Sub-themes of the exhibition include “Hakka Homeland”, “Calligraphy and Literature”, “Hometown Memories”, and “A Dimension to Be Found”, featuring a total of 47 pieces by 41 artists. It constitutes a cross-domain dialogue between Hakka literature, history, and calligraphy art, taking visitors on a journey across the tradition of reverence for nature and emphasis on education in Hakka villages, the dedication of Hakka gentry to pass down tradition during the Japanese colonial era, post-WWII artists’ means of collaborating with and criticizing the governing party, and the infinite possibilities of contemporary artists as they transcend existing forms through their Hakka identity.
The exhibition is ticketed and will last from August 11 to October 30. Educational activities such as themed lectures will be held while the exhibition is running. Everyone is welcome to attend and experience the diverse and vibrant culture of the Hakka people. For more information, please visit the Hakka Expo website or the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts website.
