Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts' Hengshan Awards Announce Winners: Shaping Asian Calligraphy Perspectives and Dialogue

On March 28, 2021, Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts held the inaugural "Hengshan Biennial Awards for Calligraphy Research and Criticism" (The Hengshan Awards) award ceremony at Hotel Cozzi Blu Taoyuan. The ceremony featured Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, Director Chuang Hsiu-mei, and Director Liu Chun-lan presenting awards in person, with special speeches from Bao Qianshen from Zhejiang University and Liao Hsin-tien from the National Museum of History representing the Hengshan Awards jury. The event included the awards ceremony, a conversation with the grand prize winner, and two jury panel discussions. Both in-person and online participants were welcomed via live video and online streaming, allowing more people to join this cultural celebration.

The Hengshan Awards winners were selected through a two-stage process. From a shortlist of 16 works, seven were chosen to be included in a special publication. Among them were the "Research Essay" Merit Awards: Chen Chao-Kun for "An Examination of Caoshu Dayanming by Jin Nong and Analysis of Its Value," Woon Zhe An for "An Exploration of 20th Century Malaya Oracle Bone Script Calligraphy: Focusing on Calligraphers Coming to the South," and Cheng Shih-Tsung for "The Meaning of Life Reflected in the Zen Calligraphy of Han-Shan Te-Ch’ing." In the "Critique" category, the Grand Prize went to Lin Chun-Chen for "Revival and Innovation: The Paradox of Contemporary Developments of Calligraphy," with three Merit Awards going to Fung Yee Lick, Eric for "The Intersection between Calligraphy and Contemporary Art: The Possibility of Mutual Inspiration and Contribution between the Two," Lieu Pang-Yin for "A Curatorial Perspective and Operating Procedure for the Viewing Experience Needs of a New Era, and the Enlargement of the Population Base of Calligraphy," and Teng Jun-Hao for "A Theorization of the Impact of the 'Chen Zhenlian Calligraphy, Chinese Painting, Seal Carving and Writing Exhibition' on the Academic Writing and Calligraphy Award and Competition Art Forms of Taiwan." The Hengshan Awards publication was released to help accumulate and share these research achievements.

Wang Li-chuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taoyuan City, emphasized the dedication of the city government team to promoting cultural infrastructure and industry development in Taoyuan's Qingpu area. These efforts include the Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center, the Pop Music Open-Air Theater, the Indigenous Cultural and Creative Industry Park, and the Asia Silicon Valley Innovation R&D Center, making this area a future highlight of Taoyuan's development.

 

Liu Chun-lan, Director of Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts, expressed special thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Taoyuan City Government, Taoyuan City Council, and the Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as to the jury members, all participants, and friends in the calligraphy and art communities. The Hengshan Awards aim to deepen the creative energy of writers on calligraphy research and criticism in Taiwan and internationally, making a greater contribution to the development of calligraphy exchanges across eras and borders in Asia.