Centering on the two Chiayi-born women artists—Lii Jiin Shiow (1953-2003) and Jo Hsieh (1967-2017), the Practice and Practice with LII Jiin Shiow and Jo HSIEH exhibition presents their journeys of thoughts and practices within the realms of art, the self, and others through their works, quotidian studies, experimental creations, and lesson plans. The exhibition also includes three artists—Tsai Chih-hsien, Kang Ya-chu, and Wang Yi-ting, who engage in cross-generational dialogues through field researches and site-specific works, revisiting the artistic and life practices of the two contemporary artists from Chiayi. Since the 1990s, women’s art has been increasingly emphasized by art museums. After undergoing various stages of exhibitions and historical compilations, in recent years, art museums have further focused on the multiple identities and social roles of women, organizing exhibitions from different perspectives and positions. In this context, the Chiayi Art Museum is also concerned about this issue. Through featuring the two women artists, Lii Jiin Shiow and Jo Hsieh, who passed away in their middle age, the museum explores how their boundless energy emerged despite their limited lifespans, and reflects on how to challenge the established framework of gender discourse for reinterpretation and expansion. The exhibition attempts to reveal, based on the existing high regard for Lii, her creative approaches that ingeniously incorporated calligraphic lines, as well as her dedication to children’s education and selfless devotion. For Hsieh, the exhibition highlights her dedicated journey of self-development, showcasing how she built a dialogue between herself and space through extensive practice, self-portraits, sketchbooks, and mixed media. The “Practice and Practice” in the exhibition title refers to both “the act of putting ideas into action” and “the process of repeated practice.” Through research and curating, the exhibition is not merely about viewing and appreciating works, but also emphasizes the practice and process of art-making. Furthermore, from the artists’ works and ideas, it extends to the viewer’s perspective, opening up a third space.  Organized into three sub-themes—“I, We, and the In-Between,” “More and Less,” and “Outside the Form”- the exhibition delves into the relationship between the lives and art of the two artists. Viewers will gain insight into the multiple facets and meanings of their contrasts and connections, which constantly evolve and are redefined over time, deeply experiencing the spirit and energy of the artists’ “practice and practice.”

The Light Beyond Shadows exhibition aims to explore the painting practices and artistic propositions of three Taiwanese senior artists: KUO Tong-jong, CHEN Yin-hui, and CHAN Fu-yun. It also features a work by Amuse, a contemporary art group, to foster cross-generational artistic dialogues, hoping to reconnect with audiences. The title of the exhibition, “Light Beyond Shadows,” bears a dual meaning: (1) The three senior artists were mostly inspired by the concept of plein air painting during the Japanese colonial period, which nurtured their aesthetic development in painting. (2) “Light Beyond Shadows” further implies that, in the darkness and adversity of the times, the three artists carried the “light” of artistic mission to bravely move forward, passing on the light of art to the next generation. The three painters, KUO Tong-jong, CHEN Yin-hui, and CHAN Fu-yun, were all born in Chiayi in the 1930s. Early mentored by the painters of the previous generation, they specialized in oil painting, and each developed a distinct artistic style. This exhibition attempts to delve into their creations and understand how they responded to the challenges of the times, including the innovation of painting from modern art perspectives, the deconstruction of limitations on images and forms, the exploration of abstract expressions, and the capturing of light through layered paints. Additionally, they also experienced the changes and shadows of the times, such as the history of colonization, the ravages of war, and the turmoil of society. The turbulent era projected dark backgrounds for their paintings, which not only became the conditions for their artistic practices but also prompted them to create fascinating and brilliant works. In the end, through a work by the contemporary art group Amuse, it is noteworthy to observe the possible dialogues between different artistic generations. It is also hoped to create a connection with contemporary audiences and thus keep the light glowing.