Taiwan is exhibiting artworks by local contemporary artists abroad as part of government efforts to grow the country’s cultural footprint in the international arena.
Art Bank Taiwan, founded in 2013 by the Ministry of Culture, is at the coal face of related efforts. Its repository of fine creations is helping build cultural capital around the world to great effect.
ABT maintains an online, centralized record of pieces by Taiwan’s artists, as well as arranges artwork loans to institutions at home and abroad. Based at National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in the central city of Taichung, ABT boasts 2,522 works created by 874 artists, with its collection continuing to expand on the back of purchase programs.
In addition to handling loan requests from exhibitions, museums and private enterprises in Taiwan, ABT pursues global opportunities for art showcasing with gusto.
ABT possesses an impressive collection of artworks by contemporary Taiwan talents. (Staff photo/Pang Chia-shan)
In 2016, the MOC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs started jointly supporting ABT initiatives at Taiwan’s embassies and overseas offices. These included representations in Japan, the Holy See and Singapore, as well as New York and Washington. The undertaking was largely inspired by the U.S. Art in Embassies program under the Department of State, which fosters cross-cultural dialogue via visual arts exhibited at diplomatic facilities.
An eye-catching artwork by a Taiwan artist is displayed at the residence of the head of the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore. (Courtesy of TROS)
According to ABT, any event staged under the program at one of the MOFA’s overseas offices requires close communication and coordination concerning matters like exhibition space, theme and works selection.
When pieces are returned, they undergo examination for possible damage and restoration. Conservators also carry out extensive pre-dispatch preparations to reduce risks associated with transport and display.
ABT’s program has received media coverage in Singapore, and also earned praise from U.S.-based International Arts and Artists—a nonprofit working to increase cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts. IA&A was a cooperative force behind the inaugural ABT event held at Twin Oaks in 2018, and the partnership later expanded to a joint exhibition at the Hillyer contemporary art center at the organization’s headquarters.
Creations by contemporary artists from Taiwan are showcased at an exhibition organized by the ROC (Taiwan) Embassy to the Holy See and ABT from July 2019 through April 2020. (Courtesy of ABT)
It is widely recognized in art circles that one of the biggest challenges facing Taiwan officials when participating in international events like competitions and exhibitions is pressure not to use the country’s name due to a campaign of coercion from China.
NTMFA Director Liang Yung-fei said self-organized events are a viable solution, offering a safe space where artists and curators can express themselves without fear of removal or upsetting sponsors.
Holding Taiwan-focused events are easier than ever before thanks to ABT acting as a centralized hub, Liang said. The expertise is on hand to help overseas offices that might not have experience running these kinds of events nor selecting pieces, he added.
Liang believes sending artworks abroad is a great way to promote local artists while also showcasing the kind of values Taiwan holds dear. Soft power remains one of the best ways of raising the country’s profile on the global stage, he said. (DL-E) (By Pat Gao)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
(This article is adapted from “Art Banked” in the March/April 2021 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)