The National Culture and Arts Foundation announced winners of the 14th National Award for Arts in fine art, literature, music and drama June 21.
The honored artists are calligrapher Chang Kuang-bin, novelist Chi Teng Sheng, composer Lai Deh-ho and performance artist Wu Hsing-kuo, respectively.
No prizes were given in the dance, architecture and cinema categories this year.
Chang, 96, is the oldest winner since the award was founded in 1997. The calligrapher, who received the Executive Yuan’s National Cultural Award in 2009, was recognized again this year for his timeless approach to the ancient art and dedication to related research.
Chi Teng Sheng, 71, captured the prize for his critical writing on social issues and the meaning of human existence. The writer is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has not said much about the honor. “Just keep it low-profile,” he said to the local media upon hearing the news.
Lai, 67, is famous for his poetic, nativist music blended with western cultural elements. “As a composer, it is my duty to create music. I am surprised to have been awarded the prize, but I am more than happy to become a winner, too,” Lai said. “In fact, writing songs means happiness for me. I want nothing other than to create music.”
Wu Hsing-kuo, 57, was commended for the creativity he has injected into traditional Chinese drama. “I am grateful to have so many dedicated partners working with me throughout the years,” Wu said. “I would also like to thank the judges, who have nominated me several times without fear of failure.”
In fact, it is not uncommon for artists to be frequently nominated without ever winning. “This is mostly because these nominees do not have as many qualified works,” Huang Ming-chuan, chairman of the foundation, said.
This means there is a worrying gap between the older generation of artists and the younger. No winner has been named in the dance category, in particular, since dancer Hsu Fang-yi won the award in 2007, foundation officials said.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the National Taiwan Museum in Taipei. Winners will receive NT$1 million (US$31,250) each. (TYH-THN)