Taiwanese artists active on the international stage react visually to the current global situation through their own contexts, reminding the audience not to look away, but to look closer in, asking the question of who we are, and how to make our voices heard, loudly and clearly, at this urgent time.

Through curating, comparative research and field research, “Herbal Urbanism”, is a series of exhibitions at Hong-gah Museum, curated by Manray Hsu in recent years, aiming to explore the unknown sides of Beitou. Moreover, the museum also actively connects and collaborates with organizations in the area, such as Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Taiwanese Yueqin Folk Song Association.

Art definitely comes from life, but it doesn’t mean that we need to live our lives in an artistic way. Instead, Yao observes beauty in the details of everyday life, and, from there, builds a relationship with art. “If we pursue the depth of life, we naturally know what we should have in our lives. Art comes from life, it does not decorate life.”

How do artists form relationships with artists from other time periods? In 2015, gallerist and curator Johnson Chang invited artist Yeh Wei-Li to move into the deserted house of the late artist Yeh Shih-Chiang (1926-2012). Since then, their works have begun to intertwine.

Alternative spaces have always played a significant role in the ecosystem of contemporary art, the diversity of which is an indicator of the maturity of the art scene.