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Museum News
Wu Deng-yi Art Museum – Building Contemporary Art Sanctuary in Century-old Building
2023.09.23The source of the entire text—Collection ARTouch.com ：https://artouch.com/art-news/content-118767.html
The photo is provided by the Wu Deng-yi Art Museum
Wu Deng-yi Art Museum – Building Contemporary Art Sanctuary in Century-old Building
The grand opening of the Wu Deng-yi Contemporary Art Park and Wu Deng-yi Art Museum (New Taipei Branch) took place recently (9/17), with a gathering of celebrities and distinguished guests from all walks of life. The museum celebrated this milestone with a magnificent opening ceremony themed ‘Dreams Take Flight.’ The inaugural exhibition, ‘Truth of Landscape,’ featured contemporary ink paintings by Wu Deng-yi, showcasing nearly a hundred pieces of contemporary ink works with diverse themes. From traditional landscapes to futuristic realms, the artworks were created using vibrant color palettes, presenting a variety of contemporary landscapes. Whether it’s bold and unrestrained splashes of ink, elegant use of white space, or delicate and versatile blending, each exhibited piece exudes unique charm, inviting visitors to savor them with careful consideration.
Taiwan Wu Dengyi Art Museum,Taiwanese contemporary ink master, Wu Deng-yi (1951–), rose to fame. In 2020, the Wu Deng-yi Art Museum (Taipei Branch) was established in Taipei 101, located on the 32nd floor, making it the highest art museum in Taiwan. This year (2021–2023), the Wu Deng-yi Contemporary Art Park and Wu Deng-yi Art Museum (New Taipei Branch) were established in Tamsui, refurbishing a century-old Qing Dynasty building to create a contemporary art palace rich in historical and cultural significance. Open to the public in the form of the “Wu Deng-yi Contemporary Art Park,” it aims to become Taiwan’s most ancient art museum.
開幕儀式21位貴賓為全場嘉賓放飛夢想，千顆彩色氣球向空中飛去 。
As you step into the park, your eyes are greeted by a white Western-style building, two stories tall, with lush green plants scattered in front of the museum entrance, their leaves swaying in the sunlight. Sunlight pours into the building through the glass windows, illuminating the century-old stone wall corridors adorned with magnificent paintings. The exhibition hall retains the nostalgic charm of the original architecture, with a row of dazzling crystal chandeliers at the entrance, wooden floors covered in red carpets, and a lively wood-burning fireplace, showcasing a perfect balance of heritage and innovation. In the evening, as the sun sets, ascending the spiral staircase on the exterior of the building, you can stroll to the spacious sea-view terrace on the top floor of the museum, where you can instantly enjoy the famous “Guanyin Sunset” scenery, feeling utterly relaxed.
巫登益美術館新北館，建築內的岩石壁面廊道，屋架為廈門福杉木製造，能防腐朽。
The selection of the Wu Dengyi Contemporary Art Park holds significant meaning, as it is situated in the historic Tamsui Heritage Park. The original site of the museum was designed and built by the renowned historical figure Dr. George Leslie Mackay (1844–1901) in 1875, serving as his residence and missionary headquarters. It embodies a century of cultural heritage and marks the convergence of Taiwanese and Western cultures. The revitalization of the art park injects contemporary vitality into the old architecture, and in the future, it will continue to chronicle the contemporary history of this century-old building through the artistic achievements of Master Wu Dengyi. Additionally, the diverse architectural styles within the park, including the Spanish-style building constructed in 1875, the Minnan-style swallow-tail roof houses from the Qing Dynasty, and the attic and row houses from the Japanese colonial period, will become new attractions in the Tamsui historical heritage community, drawing attention and creating more tourism benefits for the area.
The exhibition hall of the Wu Dengyi Art Museum’s New Taipei Branch is equipped with a wood-burning fireplace.
At the opening ceremony, several distinguished guests expressed in their speeches that despite the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic, the museum team persevered and renovated the park to the highest standards, investing significant efforts and resources regardless of costs. They aimed to make a contribution to the art scene in Taiwan, leading the way for Taiwanese history, culture, architecture, and contemporary ink art to continuously progress. They expressed their commitment to promoting the values of Taiwanese and Chinese culture worldwide. The museum team also revealed plans for an international touring exhibition of Wu Dengyi’s works, demonstrating the museum’s determination to step onto the international art stage.
Mr. Wang Xinli, Chairman of the Chinese Cultural Relics Association, highly praised the artistic achievements of Master Wu Dengyi in his speech.
Artist Wu Dengyi was born in Nantou and graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University. He has been exploring the art of contemporary ink painting for nearly four decades. His contemporary ink creations are not only beloved in Taiwan’s art scene but also garner attention on the international stage. Wu Dengyi also revealed that he will be invited to tour Europe next year (2024), including participating in the 120th edition of the Paris Autumn Salon, a prestigious event with a 120-year history, and the annual grand exhibition “Personal Structures” at the European Cultural Center, which runs parallel to the Venice Biennale. These events will serve as important platforms for showcasing contemporary ink art. The museum and Mr. Wu, through continuous efforts, firmly believe that his international status, visibility, and the value of his works will be greatly enhanced. Through international touring exhibitions, more foreigners will have the opportunity to appreciate his works up close. Furthermore, using contemporary ink art as a medium, they aim to present Taiwan to the world.
Various distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony of the Wu Dengyi Contemporary Art Park and the Wu Dengyi Art Museum in New Taipei City. Artist Mr. Wu Dengyi greeted the guests with a wave of his hand.
At the opening ceremony, the art museum also received a congratulatory video from Ms. Sara Danieli, the Art Director of the European Cultural Center in Italy, expressing the center’s high appreciation for Wu Dengyi’s creations. As a Taiwanese artist, Wu Dengyi’s exposure and recognition on the international stage contribute to promoting Taiwanese culture and art globally. His success not only represents personal achievement but also signifies the richness and diversity of Taiwanese culture.
Artistic Director Sara Danieli sent a congratulatory video, and Master Wu Dengyi was invited to participate in the parallel exhibition “Personal Structures” at the Venice Biennale in Italy.
Master Wu Dengyi was deeply moved during his speech, expressing, “Establishing a private art museum is the lifelong dream of every artist, and for me, it is also the ultimate honor. The birth of the Wu Dengyi Contemporary Art Park and the Wu Dengyi Art Museum in New Taipei City is the result of two long and arduous journeys. It is the effort and dedication of everyone involved in this project that has made all of this possible. However, neither I nor my colleagues at the art museum intend to stop here. Art is endless, and so is my creative journey. The upcoming exhibition tour next year is an opportunity for my works to cross borders, gathering a broader audience with the beauty of contemporary ink art, promoting exchanges between different cultures. As an artist born and raised in Taiwan, I hope to remain true to my original aspiration and become a beacon for Taiwan. I firmly believe in the power of art to transcend borders and language, to connect and inspire us, and to bring endless possibilities. With the continuous expansion of the art museum, I believe more and more collectors will pay attention to Wu Dengyi’s creations, and their artistic value will continue to rise.”
In the exhibition hall of the New Taipei Branch of the Wu Dengyi Art Museum, the entrance corridor showcases the artwork “Imperial Landscapes”.
Returning to the art museum, visitors are greeted by a 1588-centimeter-long scroll painting titled “Imperial Landscapes”. This artwork was previously exhibited at the 2021 ART TAIPEI International Art Fair and is the longest painting ever created since the establishment of the art fair. “Imperial Landscapes” took three years from conception to completion and boldly employs Western mineral pigments such as red, orange, blue, green, and purple combined with ink. As a result, the artwork shines with intricate brilliance when viewed up close. The artist employs a unique structural “Wu-style stippling technique” instead of the traditional brush and ink stippling technique. The dynamic movement and forms of the unique color blocks and lines infuse the mountains and rocks in the painting with a lifelike vitality, resembling a microcosm of the universe. Master Wu Dengyi seems particularly fond of the elegant purple ink, often skillfully incorporating it into the mountains and mists in his ink and color landscape paintings. The colorful interweaving adds a unique charm to the artwork, symbolizing auspicious signs of prosperity.
The grand opening of the Wu Dengyi Contemporary Art Park and the new branch of the Wu Dengyi Art Museum in New Taipei City showcases an inclusive attitude that blends Eastern and Western cultures. It establishes an international platform for the exchange of Taiwanese indigenous art with the world, with a focus on promoting the charm and value of contemporary ink art. This initiative aims to continuously propel Taiwanese art onto the global stage.
「The Essence of Shan Shui」
Wu Deng-yi‘s Contemporary Color Ink Exhibition
Exhibition Period: (Wu Dengyi Contemporary Art Park and Wu Dengyi Museum New Taipei Branch)No. 32, Zhenli St., Tamsui Dist., New Taipei City , Taiwan (R.O.C.)