09 / 18 / 2011 -- 11 / 11 / 2011
From now until Nov. 10th, the Headley - Whitney Museum of Lexington, Kentucky will hold the exhibition—A Shining Heritage —Contemporary Taiwanese Lacquer Art from the Wang Family?, which was made possible through the joint planning of the University of Kentucky, the Headley - Whitney Museum, and the Council for Cultural Affairs-affiliated National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (hereinafter referred to as NTCRDI). The exhibition is curated by University of Kentucky professor Dr. Andrew L. Mask and coincides with the school?s ArtsAsia Festival. It will introduce Taiwan?s culturally characteristic and creatively-innovative lacquer art and promote the country?s excellent traditional culture and development of modern art, while simultaneously establishing a mechanism for future museum cooperation between the two nations through the promotion of culture exchange and friendship.
?A Shining Heritage?Contemporary Taiwanese Lacquer Art from the Wang Family? invites three Taiwanese National Treasures, Master Wang Ching-Shuang, recipient of the 2007 ?National Craft Achievement Award?, and his two sons-cum-apprentices, Masters Wang Shien-Ming and Wang Hsien-Chih, to together exhibit 46 of their newest lacquer creations (including 30 two-dimensional pieces and 16 three-dimensional pieces), each piece imbued with both traditional and innovative qualities. Masters Wang Shien-Ming and Wang Hsien-Chih will be making a special appearance at the Headley-Whitney Museum, and in addition to attending the opening banquet (Oct. 2nd, 2-5PM), have also been invited to introduce their lacquer creations at the University of Kentucky Arts Department (Oct. 5th, 3-5PM). Not only can visitors enjoy the excellence of lacquer art, but they can also deepen their understanding of this traditional craft and witness Taiwan?s intense effort and dedication toward the conservation and continued inheritance of lacquer arts.
Master Wang Ching-Shuang is Taiwan?s first-generation of lacquer talent and has been creating for more than six decades; to appreciate Master Wang?s work is as if to witness the entire history of Taiwan?s lacquer craft. From almost-complete non-existence to its now flourishing present, Master Wang?s contributions are undeniable, including the very establishment of a ?Taiwanese? lacquer art style. Due to his tirelessly engaging in lacquer art production and willingness to spare no effort toward Taiwan?s lacquer art education, talent cultivation, and dissemination of techniques, in 2007 he received the ?National Craft Achievement Award.? His reputation is well deserved. From a young age, brothers Wang Shien-Ming and Wang Hsien-Chih grew up under the influence of their lacquer-producing household and over time cultivating a joy for lacquer, and soon rushed to enter the ranks of lacquerware creators. Under years of their father?s strict tutelage, they have honed their skills and sharpened their techniques. Their performance in previous craft competitions has been exceptional and has receiving great reviews. The Wang family, with its three outstanding figures, has been indispensable in the promotion of lacquer art development, great inspirations, and has domestically established good models that are all worthy of praise.
NTCRDI, the organizers of the exhibition, has for many years been under the supervision of the Council for Cultural Affairs, with its main goals as fostering a characteristic culture for Taiwanese crafts, encouraging design innovation and promoting the development of culturally-creative industries, nurturing citizens? personal accomplishments, beautifying life, and promoting international craft-culture exchange. The exhibition has been made possible by the Council for Cultural Affairs Taipei Cultural Center, NYC, who facilitated communication between all parties, and by University of Kentucky professor Dr. Andrew L. Mask who curated the exhibition, and by Headley-Whitney Museum?s complete cooperation in allowing the exhibition to proceed smoothly. We welcome all to enthusiastically visit the exhibition and grasp the opportunity to enjoy this elegant craft culture.
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