Five veteran Taiwanese artists have been chosen to receive the National Award for Arts, the highest honor for artists in Taiwan, the National Culture and Arts Foundation announced June 27.
The recipients of the award are filmmaker Chang Tso-chi, novelist Chen Ruoxi, photographer Chuang Ling, theater director Lee Shiao-pin and baritone singer Tseng Dau-hsiong, according to the NCAF.
Famous for depicting people living on the margins of society, Chang, 50, has been internationally recognized at numerous film festivals, the NCAF said. Chang’s works include “Ah-chung,” “Darkness and Light,” “Butterfly” and “When Love Comes.”
Chen, 73, a dedicated writer and commentator, is best known for her work “The Execution of Mayor Yin,” a collection of short stories based on her experiences during the Cultural Revolution in mainland China, the NCAF said.
“I voice my opinions whenever I see something objectionable,” she said. “I will keep writing till I drop dead.”
Chuang has dedicated his life and career to promoting photographic art and its education, the NCAF said, adding that his latest endeavor is to open the Taiwan Photography Museum.
Lee, 47, the youngest recipient of this year’s awards, is a professionally trained Peking opera actor. He is acknowledged for his relentless efforts in introducing elements from modern theater to revive and enrich the traditional performance art, according to the NCAF.
Tseng, at once baritone singer, opera director and conductor, has seen to the adaptation and premiere of a dozen operas in Taiwan, including Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and Puccini’s “La Boheme.”
Tseng’s commitment to his art has contributed to continuous exchanges between Taiwan and other cultures, the NCAF said.
Each recipient will receive NT$1 million (US$34,828) in prize money. The awards will be presented Sept. 27 at the Zhongshan Hall in Taipei City.
Since 1997, the award has recognized outstanding artists for their lifetime achievement in various artistic fields, including architecture, literature, fine art, filmmaking, theater, dance and music. (HZW)
Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw