Zi you zi zai: Taiwan dang dai nu xing shu yi zhan = Walking their own paths : women calligraphers in contemporary Taiwan

Abstract

"The curatorial concept for Walking Their Own Paths: Women Calligraphers in Contemporary Taiwan can be traced back to the 2023 research project A Study on Contemporary Taiwanese Women's Calligraphic Art, initiated by the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts. At that time, we invited Professor Lu Hui-wen of the Graduate Institute of Art History, National Taiwan University, as well as the curator of this exhibition, to serve as the project's principal investigator. The research employed comprehensive methods such as the collection and analysis of historical documents, oral interviews, questionnaires, and comparative studies of style and expressive forms. Through these approaches, it examined the development and transformation of Taiwanese women calligraphers since the postwar period. The team compiled basic information on 101 women calligraphers, conducted in-depth interviews with 7 creators from different generations and backgrounds, and carried out case studies on 37 individuals. The research explored their creative practices, social networks, stylistic expressions, and artistic perspectives, resulting in an outcome both extensive and profound. It remains the most comprehensive investigation and analysis of women calligraphers in Taiwan to date. The findings revealed a long-overlooked perspective: women calligraphers have not only remained active across different historical periods but also developed distinctive vocabularies and intellectual expressions within the deeply rooted tradition of calligraphy. Building on this foundation, we asked ourselves: could these voices and works be brought beyond the pages of academic research and archival materials into an exhibition space, where they might engage directly with the public? Thus, this exhibition is not merely a visual presentation of research results, but an exhibition practice that responds to the singular narrative of calligraphic history. As Taiwan's gateway city, Taoyuan has long been a crossroads of diverse cultures and migration. The Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts has upheld 'local cultural grounding' and 'international exchange' as its dual curatorial and research pillars since its founding. The Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center, as Taiwan's first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary calligraphy, continues to explore the connections between calligraphic art and contemporary social issues. This exhibition centers on Taiwanese women calligraphers while also inviting artists from China, Japan, Korea, Iran, the United Kingdom, and France. By positioning the Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center as a platform for dialogue, the exhibition opens up new possibilities for cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Walking Their Own Paths: Women Calligraphers in Contemporary Taiwan is the first large-scale thematic exhibition in Taiwan to center on women calligraphers. Grounded in academic research, it responds to the long-standing absence of diverse gender perspectives within the tradition of calligraphy. Through this curatorial practice, we hope to expand the horizons of art history and leave a lasting mark on Taiwan's cultural narrative of calligraphic expression"-- Director's preface, Yung-neng Lin (pages E-6–7).

Contents

[Volume 1]. Essays -- [volume 2]. Exhibition catalogue.