Have you seen brush art before? I’ve recently developed a passion for Chinese calligraphy and painting, learning that Chinese ink paintings created with a brush have a history of over 2000 years. As summer approaches, there’s a place in the skies of Spain showcasing Chinese ink art! Starting in July, the Vueling Onboard Exhibition gathers artists from around the world. Of particular interest are Taiwanese artists presenting Chinese ink paintings, which are not commonly seen in Europe. If you happen to fly with Vueling Airlines in July, you might have the chance to admire these Taiwanese masters’ works.
These top Taiwanese artists frequently participate in exhibitions worldwide and have been internationally acclaimed, including Wu Hsiu-Yin, Ho Ming-Chu, Wu Li-Ying, Lu Lan-Hsin, Yang Ching-Chiang, Tsai Yu-Yun, Chien Hsuan-Ming, Wang Men-Chieh, Chang Yu-Hsuan, and Cheng Tzu-Leong. In addition to presenting Chinese ink paintings, some of them also create contemporary art using pastels and acrylics, demonstrating a high level of artistic skill.
One influential figure in advertising, Dr. Cheng Tzu-Leong, presents soft pastel artworks at this exhibition. His pieces combine poetry praising the beauty of Florence. Perhaps due to the use of Chinese characters, I find these works that integrate painting with text particularly captivating. Lu Lan-Hsin’s works, which appear influenced by Western culture, surprised me. I initially expected Taiwanese art to lean towards Chinese themes, but their acrylic paintings are also remarkably detailed. I wonder if this artist has studied abroad in the West?
Let me highlight some other notable works. The Chinese ink paintings collaborated on by Tsai Yu-Yun and Chien Hsuan-Ming are unlike any I’ve seen before. Instead of meticulously depicting landscapes, these artists use rapid brushstrokes to convey a sense of free-spiritedness on their canvases, yet it’s done with great finesse, giving a grand impression. Wu Hsiu-Yin’s works, meticulously capture scenes of spring, complete with ponds, flowers, and insects, even detailing the spots on the insects. Despite all being ink paintings, their styles vary greatly.
After researching all the exhibition artists, I found many talented Asian artists participating, including Jiawei Fu from China, photographer Yoichiro Sakai from Japan, and artist Caspar Baum from Singapore, all of whom have garnered recognition and awards at international exhibitions. Notably, the Kasashima Gallery from Japan, which invited Taiwanese artists to the Vueling Onboart Exhibition, caught my attention.
Upon reviewing Kasashima Gallery’s website and social media, it’s clear they are dedicated to expanding Asian art and culture, hosting exhibitions in Taiwan, Japan, Europe, and planning one in Milan this October. Their posts on social media, often written in Chinese and Japanese, showcase Chinese calligraphy in various forms, from photos to live streams and videos, attracting tens of thousands of viewers.
The Asian art market greatly benefits from galleries like Kasashima. For instance, while Taiwanese artists’ works are appealing, I couldn’t find pricing information on the exhibition website or through scanning QR codes. Since they lack an official website, let alone a shopping cart function, how can potential buyers contact their agents? At least Kasashima Gallery serves as a bridge for international collectors. In Asia, there are many talented artists, but there are relatively few galleries and art museums. I believe they need more resources to promote artists effectively.
