Daw Din Club, a newly established art studio in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City, is facilitating creative exchanges among local artists and helping to cultivate the next generation of talent.
A veteran painter of 30 years, Lin Yin-tang founded Daw Din to reignite his passion for art and connect with like-minded creatives. The name is derived from the Holo, also known as Taiwanese, words for “get together.”
Looking to create a communal space, Lin and fellow artists Chen Jun-xian, Huang Chiaxiang and Zheng Hong-nan decided to set up Daw Din. They discovered the ideal location for the studio at an old warehouse in Tainan’s Anping District, turning it into a multifunctional complex suitable for a wide range of artistic pursuits.
The 661-square-meter, two-story building provides each artist with a personal space alongside communal areas. It is further divided into different sections for creating art, displaying works and hosting classes and workshops, as well as a kitchen and dining area, while various courses are on offer for residents including music lessons and tea ceremonies.
According to Lin, the studio gives him an opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and generations, offering fresh ways of thinking as well as a large enough space for him to paint, display and store artworks of various sizes.
Zheng said that Daw Din is a place where cross-disciplinary artists come to create art and refine their skills while tapping into the minds of fellow residents. There are many benefits to a shared workspace, including growing professional networks and exchanging ideas, as well as saving on rental costs, he added.
Chen and Zheng are both keen to support artists at the start of their creative careers, noting that young talents often cannot afford to rent space or purchase equipment, which makes it even more important that places like Daw Din share their resources whenever possible.
As a metal and wood sculptor, Chen said the major incentives for artists to join Daw Din are to establish working relationships and expand their customer bases. To him, the club provides a fun and energetic environment to socialize with like-minded individuals while providing space for DIY workshops and art classes, something that was impossible at his old rural studio.
Echoing Chen’s comment, visual artist Huang said co-establishing Daw Din appealed to him due to the potential for exchanges among art creators and collectors. He also enjoys being able to refine his craft, make new friends and learn from others during his spare time at the studio.
In a nutshell, Daw Din is all about sharing, according to Zheng. “We’ve created a space that communicates our love of art and hopefully inspires others to share in it,” he said. “If we can be a catalyst for the creation of more works and bring in a wider audience, I think we can be proud of what we’ve achieved.” (DL-E) (By Kelly Her)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from “Cluster of Creatives” in the July/August 2021 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)