香港二樓書店 > Rediscovering Taiwan: Chen Cheng-po’s 120th Birthday Anniversary

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　　Since its founding in 1908, the National Taiwan Museum (NTM) has experienced the societal transformations of different national eras and has been entrusted with evolving expectations regarding museums, cultural knowledge, and engagement with contemporary discourse. In response, NTM has pursued social dialogue and practice through exhibitions, forums, and interdisciplinary collaborations, actively addressing the challenges faced by museums today. NTM remains dedicated to fostering connections and dialogue with Taiwan, caring for the stories of this island and its inhabitants. By drawing from the islands diverse communities, issues, and artifacts, the museum co-creates history and helps shape the contours of the island.

　　To mark the 130th anniversary of painter Chen Cheng-pos birth in 2025, the Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation and NTM are jointly presenting "Rediscovering Taiwan: Chen Cheng-pos 130th Anniversary Exhibition”. This exhibition merges the perspective of an early intellectual and artist with NTM’s focus on natural history, highlighting Taiwans rich cultural and natural heritage and offering a portrait of the island today and the sense of fulfillment it embodies.

　　The Taiwanese term "tsau-tshu?", meaning "to seek" or "to pursue", reflects the spirit of this exhibition. Visitors are guided back to Chen Cheng-pos era to re-examine the interweaving of nature, culture, and history that has shaped Taiwan. Chen leads us on this journey of discovery, unveiling Taiwan’s beauty and inviting us to engage more deeply with the land and sense its enduring power. These expressions in Chen Cheng-pos paintings align with NTM’s tradition as a natural history museum, where naturalists have long chronicled the island’s essence through investigation and discovery.

　　Throughout the planning process, the curatorial team repeatedly asked: Where exactly is the land we call home, and what is its true appearance? "Rediscovering Taiwan" offers a response to this question. To explore this idea, the exhibition takes visitors on a visual and intellectual journey built around three key natural forces—the Tropic of Cancer, the monsoon, and the Kuroshio Current. Visitors are invited to examine how these natural forces have shaped Taiwans ecological landscape and cultural history.

　　Taiwans unique environment and ecology have captivated naturalists worldwide since the 19th century, drawing them to survey and explore the island. With towering mountain ranges formed by tectonic shifts, Taiwan lies at the intersection of tropical and subtropical zones, making it a hub of biodiversity and cultural convergence. The exhibition features eight original paintings by Chen Cheng-po, paired with natural specimens from NTMs collection, representing flora and fauna common in—and unique to—Taiwan. Taiwan’s distinct role in the natural world is highlighted through this exhibition of its biodiversity, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the interdependence between the environment and human life.

　　Chen Cheng-pos art serves as a painted record of Taiwan, preserving scenes of the land through emotive landscapes. His paintings reflect not only personal expression but also reverence and contemplation of nature. The exhibition would not have been possible without the generous support of institutions including the Tokyo University of the Arts Museum, the H?fu City Government of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum, Chiayi Fine Art Museum, and the Hualin Cultural and Educational Foundation in Taipei. This international collaboration reflects shared values and a collective recognition of the importance of preserving cultural heritage, encouraging appreciation for the invaluable artistic legacy left by our predecessors. We are also deeply grateful to Professor Hung Kuang-chi and his research team at National Taiwan University, as well as the Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation team. Their collaboration with NTM’s curatorial team has brought new perspectives to Taiwan’s natural and cultural landscape by fostering dialogue between Chen Cheng-pos art and the museums focus on natural history.

　　This collaboration holds significant meaning. It reflects NTMs ongoing commitment to serving as a space for contemporary dialogue, experimentation, and practice. We hope that visitors will come to appreciate Taiwan not only as a land rich in biodiversity but also as fertile ground for intellectual and artistic growth. We invite you to experience the exhibition, discover new insights, and leave with a deeper emotional connection to this island. By rediscovering our dwelling place, we hope you will truly sense the beauty and depth of Taiwan.

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