Taiwan art that's hard to find and easy to appreciate

Butterflies Dancing Around Maple Leaves by Chen Wen-kuan. PHOTO: ADAM ULFERS, TAIPEI TIMES

The year's best Taiwanese art is currently on display and while it's hard to find, it's anything but hard to appreciate. A variety of ethnic masterpieces are on show, each devised with a cultural perspective.

Of 166 artists, consisting of 21 textile, 44 sculpture, 46 ceramic, 15 metal and 40 other styles, there are 41 award winning pieces on display. For the first time this year, the winners were selected by Internet voting, to promote art awareness around Taiwan.

There are a number of inspiring pieces and among them is an intricate pirate boat, occupied by a hoard of immortal beings, led by the monkey god. According to Yu Zhi-ren (余致潤) the crew is on their way to heaven. The piece is called One's Vast Happiness is as High as the Sky (洪褔齊天) and Yu has used traditional etching styles, gold, silver, tree resin and clay.

Another work is an alluvial bulb, smothered in countless coats of lacquer, called Butterflies Dancing Around Maple Leaves (楓林蝶舞). Expertly conceived by Chen Wen-kuan (陳文寬), the beautiful vase-like blend of black and gold provides a glimpse of the grace commonly found in Chinese antiquities.

You will find a highly traditional piece that you might see at Grandma's house in Stone of Prosperity (磐石富貴) by Lai Yong-fa (賴永發). A cluster of leaves surrounding a stone is inhabited by a family of birds singing, a well-known symbol of prosperity.

The 4th National Crafts Awards People's Choice Exhibition, is at 20 Nanhai Rd, Taipei (台北市南海路20號), until Aug. 29.