On October 21, the “Cross-Strait Mountains and Rivers—2024 Strait (Fujian-Taiwan) Art Exchange Exhibition” opened at the Arts and Culture Center of National Formosa University in Taipei. The exhibition features 81 artworks by 47 artists from Fujian and Taiwan, including 20 pieces from 11 artists affiliated with the Fujian Provincial Academy of Painting.
The curator of the exhibition, Cai Jie-teng, the head of the Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy at Taiwan University of the Arts, shared during an interview that traditional calligraphy and painting encompass classic elements that manifest differently across regions. He believes that showcasing works from artists on both sides of the Strait facilitates learning and the exchange of skills, ultimately fostering the development of art.
At the exhibition, Professor Wu Gong-rui, also from Taiwan University of the Arts, created an ink painting live on site, while Lin Qin-shang, the chairman of the New Taipei City Xinzhuang Calligraphy Association, wrote calligraphic pieces featuring phrases like “Strive to emulate the virtuous.”
In an interview, Lin emphasized that Chinese calligraphy includes four styles: regular, cursive, clerical, and seal script, all embodying a sense of beauty intrinsic to Chinese culture. He stated that such artistic exchanges significantly contribute to the shared inheritance of the essence of Chinese culture.
The exhibition attracted many students from National Formosa University. Li Mao-qian, a first-year student, admired the calligraphy piece titled “Qingyu Case · Yuanxi,” and even used his phone to look up the original poem by the renowned Southern Song Dynasty poet Xin Qiji.
Li explained that while he was familiar with a line from the poem—”In the crowds, I searched for him tirelessly; when I turned around, there he was, in the fading light”—the experience of viewing the artwork opened his eyes to the need for further learning.
The exhibition is co-hosted by National Formosa University and the Cross-Strait Imaging Art and Cultural Creative Association, with support from organizations like the Fujian Picture Newspaper.
In a congratulatory letter, the Fujian Picture Newspaper stated that calligraphy and painting are treasures of Chinese culture, embodying millennia of historical depth and human spirit. They highlighted that these art forms serve as an important connection between the people of Fujian and Taiwan, expressing hopes for continued artistic dialogue to build bridges across the Strait.
