Six artists will receive this year’s National Award for Arts, the country’s highest tribute to those working in culture and the arts, the National Cultural and Arts Foundation announced on Monday.
Foundation chairman Huang Ming-chuan (黃明川) said this year’s winners were distinguished contemporary Taiwanese cultural and art workers who used the power of life as the basis for their creations.
The six are architect Wang Da-hong (王大閎), conductor David Liao (廖年賦), visual artist Chen Chieh-jen (陳界仁), theater performer Chin Shih-chieh (金士傑), senior film editor Bowen Chen (陳博文) and writer Wang Wen-hsing (王文興).
Wang Da-hong, 92, is considered the pioneer of Taiwan’s modern architecture movement. His works include the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei City.
Liao, 77, founded the Taipei Century Symphony Orchestra and is the first conductor to win the national honor since its inception in 1997.
Chen Chieh-jen, 47, is the youngest recipient this year. His works, which often raise public awareness and debates on issues concerning less privileged groups, are currently in Italy representing Taiwan at the 53rd Venice Biennale.
Chin Shih-chieh, 58, has been praised for his lasting devotion to the promotion of Taiwan’s contemporary theater movement.
His unique performing style has become a model of Taiwan’s contemporary performing arts, the foundation said.
Bowen Chen has edited numerous films, including several by the late Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang (楊德昌) such as Yi Yi.
Wang, 70, is the author of Family Catastrophe and Backed Against the Sea.
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