Tainan itself is a vessel for cultures, and art serves as a means to express the multifaceted nature of the cultures specific to Tainan. Through artistic creations, the city's diverse cultural identities are revealed. "Profoundly Faceted: Debates on Contemporary Art in Tainan" captures the critical reflections of various artists on the hybridity of cultural phenomena in Tainan, where ancient and modern elements coexist. These works provide insights and critiques on society, politics, and the broader living environment. The literatures displayed also highlight how, since 1980, cultural centers, historic buildings, and alternative venues have hosted exhibitions that have fostered the growth of contemporary art in Tainan. Over time, artists have formed vibrant artistic communities in this city. With the rise of private art spaces and museums, these developments have significantly contributed to the flourishing of contemporary art in Tainan today.
C2 Profoundly Faceted: Debates on Contemporary Art in Tainan
Curatorial Unit
As an independent administrative corporation, the Tainan Art Museum strives to be an art institute with excellent profession and performance. Our mission is to collect, research, and exhibit modern and contemporary Taiwanese art, while reshaping the essence and perspectives of Taiwan's artistic development. Through art promotion initiatives, the museum aims to make aesthetic education more accessible, strengthen cultural identity among citizens, and elevate Tainan's cultural literacy and competitiveness. The founding of the Tainan Art Museum has given the city a fresh cultural landmark and style, not only embodying its rich heritage but also bridging past, present, and future. Fostering dialogues between tradition and innovation, the museum explores what it means to be contemporary in art, and ignites a blend of old and new creativity unique to Tainan. Through exhibitions and outreach programs, the museum uncovers the significance of local artworks, strengthens cultural identity, and elevates public aesthetic literacy. Tainan Art Museum aspires to be a museum for all which incorporates art into daily life while promoting local engagement and championing art with a global perspective.
Curator
Ming Turner： Associate Professor at the Institute of Creative Industries Design, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). She holds a Ph.D. in Art History and Theoretical Philosophy from Loughborough University, UK, and has previously served as the Director of Visual Arts and Performing Arts Section at NCKU Art Center. She has curated over 40 international and domestic exhibitions, including "Are You Working Now?" (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, 2023), "The Invisible Dimensions" (Next Art Tainan, 2019) and "Post-Humanist Desire" (Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, 2013-2014). Ko Chun-ju： Staff member of the Exhibition Planning Department at Tainan Art Museum. The exhibitions that she participated in and helped with the execution include "VOC, Sea Monsters, Artillery Fire, and Them: 400 Years of Fort Zeelandia" (2024), "Anromones: The Post-paradise between Human and Animals" (2023), and "Aging: A Life Montage" (2023). Lee Chieh-hsin： Staff member of the Exhibition Planning Department at Tainan Art Museum. The exhibitions that she participated in and helped with the execution include "Art: The Power of Freedom" (2024) and "Yen Shui-long – The son of Tainan: Arts from Taiwan for the World" (2023).
Cooperative Partners
Cultural Affairs Bureau, Tainan City Government
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
Art Bank Taiwan
TAI YU Art & Humanities
LIANG Gallery
Absolute Space for the Arts
Bu Zi（Chen Zong-Shen）'s family
Lee Kuen-Lin's family