The Ministry of Culture and the Biennale of Sydney signed a memorandum of understanding in support of Taiwan indigenous artist Aluaiy Kaumakan’s participation in the Australian event next year, underscoring the government efforts to strengthen cultural exchanges with the New Southbound Policy partner country.
The MOU was signed by Fan Huei-chun, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney on behalf of the MOC, and Barbara Moore, chief executive officer of the biennale. Under the terms of the agreement, Aluaiy Kaumakan will create a large-scale installation focusing on water resources and the environment, which is the theme of the 23rd iteration of the event scheduled to be held from March 12 to June 13 in 2022.
Aluaiy Kaumakan was born in 1971 in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County. The artist is well-known for her use of “Lemikalik”, a Paiwan weaving technique which forms concentric circles, and sculptures created with various materials such as wool, cotton, copper, silk and glass beads.
According to the MOC, Taiwan and Australia are both multi-ethnic countries with unique aboriginal cultures. As a result, it is easy for the two sides to reach consensus on cultural issues, to engage in further exchange and to learn from each other, the ministry added.
Echoing the MOC’s remarks, Moore said the cooperative initiative aims to give indigenous peoples a voice in the international community. She also believes that Kaumakan’s work is sure to enrich next year’s event.
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to expand Taiwan’s cooperation on agriculture, business, culture, education, tourism and trade with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
Established in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney is the third oldest festival of its kind in the world after Venice and Sao Paulo. The exhibition has commissioned and presented exceptional works of art by more than 1,900 national and international artists from more than 100 countries to date. (YCH-E)
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