News Title｜Taichung City Seaport Art Center

From January 18 to March 16, 2025, the Taichung City Seaport Art Center will present “A Myriad of Minds: Chuang Ming-chung's Oil Painting Exhibition” in Room A. Featuring classic and newly created works from Chuang Ming-chung's nearly 40-year career, the exhibition encompasses a rich variety of topics, including life documentation, reflections on the philosophy of life, local sensibilities, and oceanic memories—promising visitors an astounding artistic feast.

According to the Taichung City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, Chuang Ming-chung, born in Taichung City in 1963, drew lasting inspiration from his coastal upbringing, where sketching outdoors in the sea breeze shaped his artistic vision. He now serves as a full-time professor in the Department of Fine Arts at the National Taichung University of Education and has played key roles in art education and evaluation, including serving as a juror for the National Art Exhibition and the Taichung New Art Exhibition. Chuang is regarded as a cornerstone of Taiwan’s art scene.

Chuang Ming-chung shared that this solo exhibition offers a retrospective of his artistic career, capturing the shifts and milestones in his creative journey. It also showcases his commitment to pushing boundaries, particularly in his exploration of large-scale artworks. Set in Room A of the Taichung City Seaport Art Center—Taiwan’s largest single exhibition venue—the expansive pieces will surely deliver a powerful and awe-inspiring visual impact.

The exhibition unfolds across five key themes, tracing Chuang Ming-chung’s artistic journey, which is divided into five categories: (1) Life Documentation and Local Sensibilities: Portraying the rustic scenes of his childhood, these works convey the warmth of the land and the authenticity of daily life. (2) Academic Cultivation and Temporal Rhythms: Influenced by academic training, Chuang integrates modern art vocabularies to explore the interplay of time and space. (3) Inner Journeys and Emotional Currents: Inspired by personal feelings, Chuang’s works reflect the ebb and flow of human emotions and the marks left by life’s experiences. (4) Fish Narratives and Oceanic Marks: Drawing on oceanic memories, the works connect nature’s imagery with stories of transformation and growth. (5) Self-Theater and Inner Reflections: Centered on life’s drama, Chuang delves into the deeper meanings of personal existence and introspection.

Chuang Ming-chung's art focuses on breaking down forms and unleashing vibrant colors. With a keen eye for detail and boldly expressive brushwork, he fuses local Taiwanese motifs with contemporary art concepts, creating an art language that is distinctly his own. From his early oil painting Sunset on Liuchuan (1982), which was first selected for a national exhibition, to his recent Contemplation series, Chuang has consistently pushed the boundaries of large-scale oil painting, producing works from size 100 to size 600. These grand canvases serve as a medium for his introspective exploration of life. The ocean has long been a focus of his creative expression, symbolizing his advocacy for sustainable resource use and his practices of taking from nature and returning to nature. His poetic brushwork captures the serene majesty of the ocean while expressing the pulse of life, echoing the United Nations’ SDGs. Professor Xie Li-fa, in his article for this exhibition, remarked, “The artist uses visuals to portray the eternal vibrancy and constant transformations of life. This is not only a challenge to himself but also a quest for transcendence.”

Don’t miss the “A Myriad of Minds: Chuang Ming-chung's 2025 Oil Painting Exhibition,” an extraordinary showcase of the artist’s exploration of life’s narratives and profound emotions. On February 22, a special lecture, “A Myriad of Minds: The Artistic World of Chuang Ming-chung,” will provide insights into Chuang’s creative journey. Come feel the ocean's rhythm and life’s poetic essence through his works, celebrating four decades of Chuang’s artistic brilliance. Let us look forward to and attend this inspiring exhibition! For more information, visit the Taichung City Seaport Art Center’s website (https://tcsac.taichung.gov.tw/) or Facebook page.