NCAF unveils recipients of National Award for Arts

2015/12/18

This year’s winners of the National Award for Arts, the highest honor afforded to artists in Taiwan, were named Dec. 15 by the National Culture and Arts Foundation.

The recipients are Beiguan musician Chuang Chin-tsai, dancer Ho Hsiao-mei, novelist Li Yong-ping, architect Joshua Jih Pan and contemporary installation artist Wu Ma-li. Each will receive a medal and cash prize of NT$1 million (US$30,349) at a presentation ceremony next year.

“All of the winners are a credit to Taiwan’s artistic community,” an NCAF official said. “We are proud to add their names to a storied list of past recipients and further enhance the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.”

Chuang, founder of the Hanyan Beiguan Troupe, is the oldest honoree this year. Mastering the traditional music and Taiwanese opera genres, the 81-year-old musician has worked tirelessly to pass the torch to the younger generation over the past 20 years.

Equally deserving is Ho, who follows in the footsteps of Sheu Fang-yi—winner of the award in 2007 and former principal dancer for Martha Graham Dance Company. Her headline piece “My Dear” with paper-cut artist Jam Wu examines interpersonal relationships and harnesses multimedia effects to deliver fresh onstage experiences.

Another artist incorporating external influences into their work is Li, a Hakka born in Borneo. He fuses elements of Malaysian Chinese literature with Taiwan society to create the popular "Moon River", a trilogy depicting a Taipei girl’s journey in the inland rainforest of the Southeast Asian country.

Similarly praiseworthy is Pan, whose support for green buildings and sustainable environment are widely known. His eco-friendly Ring of Celestial Bliss was the main display at the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Hsinchu County and winner of U.S. website Architizer’s A-plus Awards.

Not to be overlooked is Wu and her thought-provoking works framing numerous environmental, political and social issues in Taiwan. As the first female to win the prize in this field, she is expected to springboard off the honor and make further headway promoting art in the local community.

Launched in 1997, the award recognizes outstanding artists for their lifetime achievements in various fields, including architecture, dance, filmmaking, fine art, literature, music and theater. The honor will be awarded biannually starting from this year.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240323&ctNode=2194&mp=9)