Sanyi International Wood Carving Art Festival kicked off Aug. 1 in northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County, showcasing the ingenuity of local and international artists while fostering exchanges among different cultures.
Organized by Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum and staged every weekend at the facility until Aug. 16, the annual event features an art market, carving sessions, guided tours, music performances and road running.
A highlight of the festival is the International Exchange Exhibition of more than 80 artworks from Taiwan, Japan, Italy and Spain themed The Vicissitudes of Daily Life in the Boundless Universe.
“The featured pieces depict the different life stories of the creators, as well as their unique cultures and experiences,” an official from Miaoli County Government’s International Culture and Tourism Bureau said.
Of equal interest is the Wood Sculpture Competition, which attracted 99 entries by 81 artists from Taiwan and 12 countries and territories such as Bhutan, Germany, Israel, Poland, Nigeria, Turkey and the U.K., the official said, adding that 46 shortlisted pieces are on display until Sept. 27 at the museum.
Taiwan enjoys the largest country representation among the eight finalists. Four local artists gained the nod from the judging panel and are in the running for top-spot prize money of NT$500,000 (US$15,782) set for announcement during the festival’s closing ceremony. (SFC-JSM)
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