Artist Li Jiun-Yang’s Miao, 2003–2013, mixed media. | Photo courtesy of MOA

The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is celebrating Taiwanese culture with (In)visible: The Spiritual World of Taiwan Through Contemporary Art. Since its doors opened on Nov. 20, the exhibit has showcased the works of seven contemporary Taiwanese artists and will run until April 3 of next year.

New to the role of curator for the Department of Asian Studies, Fuyubi Nakamura is putting together an exhibit in Canada for the first time. Despite the lack of experience, the award winning socio-cultural anthropologist, author and international speaker is more than prepared.

“For (In)visible, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with seven unique Taiwanese artists – all remarkable individuals who have earned international acclaim for their innovative approach to sharing the history, values and diverse cultures of Taiwan through their work,” explains Nakamura.

Cultural foundations

Artist Chiu Yu-Wen with a piece from Water Fairies Reproduction Project. | Photo courtesy of MOA

The foundations for this cultural exploration were laid a year ago when the Spotlight Taiwan initiative first took place. When asked more about the directive, Nakamura explained that Spotlight Taiwan is a large initiative started by the Taiwanese government’s Minister of Culture. It was designed to promote an intercultural exchange between Taiwan and other countries.

“Taiwan is so unique because it has such a diverse culture. It is a small island, but at the moment it is home to 16 officially recognised Aboriginal groups of Austronesian peoples and Han Chinese of various backgrounds as well as other long-term settlers and recent immigrants. And with so many different cultures I wanted to show the diversity in contemporary art,” says Nakamura.

The exhibition will showcase seven artists’ works, which combine contemporary art with historical culture. Other significant influences include cultural traditions and the animalistic beliefs of the Taiwanese Aboriginal people.

“The spiritual world is very much part of life and a source for creative inspiration in Taiwan. The compelling array of work on display will express and visualize the religious beliefs, myths and legends that are an inherent part of Taiwan’s urban and rural life cycles,” says Nakamura.

Once she did her research and had the chance to see each artist’s work, Nakamura knew they were perfect for the exhibit.

“The reason I chose the artists for this exhibition was not just because of their ideas,” says Nakamura. “They bring in different traditional skews to their contemporary artwork; that’s why I find it fascinating.”

Experiencing another world

Detail of Miao by Li Jiun-Yang.

One of the artists, Yuma Taru, is half Chinese and half indigenous, and she teaches women in younger generations the traditional weaving techniques of her Aboriginal group. In order to promote this traditional weaving, she creates contemporary fabric pieces while incorporating traditional techniques.

With the multiple artistic contributions, the exhibit showcases a variety of artwork in its many facets. Their works consist of a textile installation inspired by traditional Atayal weaving, paper cutting, video art, puppetry, sculpture, painting and drawing.

Nakamura hopes that visitors will feel as though they’re entering another world when they arrive at the exhibit.

“I created a kind of almost architectural space where a visitor walks into the artwork. It’s not an exhibition just to look at, you just have to experience the whole thing,” she says.

The exhibit is being showcased in the MOA’s Audian Gallery. For more information please visit: www.moa.ubc.ca.