Artists from North and South Gather for the Opening of Zeng Yongning’s Solo Exhibition “Brilliant Radiance”

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. In Taiwan, I rarely take the initiative to attend art exhibition openings (unless it is a close friend or an invited dialogue). This does not mean I do not visit exhibitions; viewing them is my favorite and most enjoyable moment. I like to enjoy exhibitions quietly and undisturbed, wandering freely in the forest of art, engaging in quiet dialogue or romance with art.

This year, I am attending my first opening, dedicated to Zeng Yongning’s solo exhibition “Brilliant Radiance” at the Changhua Museum of Fine Arts. It is a commitment made upon invitation, and I am looking forward to seeing Yongning’s new works. Especially curious about the creative output of Taiwan’s new generation, one can glimpse new energy in contemporary Taiwanese art through their creations, to some extent.

Unexpectedly, the opening of Zeng Yongning’s “Brilliant Radiance” at the Changhua Museum of Fine Arts gathered popular figures from both the northern and southern art scenes. Artists from Taipei were invited on a tour bus to travel south, while artists from the south came north. The grand gathering of artists from both regions in Changhua was impressive. Almost all were mid-to-young generation artist friends, as well as classmates from the National Taiwan University of Arts. Like a competition where no one wants to lose face, they were mostly familiar faces of artist friends, happily reunited at this opening.

Representatives from the Northern Han Tu Society included Yang Mao-lin, Lu Xian-ming, Qu Deyi, Su Guoqing, Cai Yiru, Cai Zonglong, Qiu Liangcheng, and his son, among others. From the Chen Shih-Ming Comprehensive Exploration Context Fan Page were Lin Xianjun, Guo Shuli, and others. From the Southern Gaoxiong Yu Ke Si came Chen Yanming, He Jiazhen, Wang Guoren, and the couple Guo Zhexiong. Also present were Xu Yuren from Tainan, Li Xuanpei from Kaohsiung, the local couples Zhong Minjian and Chen Mingde from Changhua, Dong Mingjin, and Lin Wanshi from Yilan. The curator of this exhibition, Wang Pin-hua, along with art critics Shen Bo-cheng and Zhang Lihao from Taipei, and other guests, joined Yongning’s family and close friends. One wonders if any collectors participated in the opening? An opening should not just be artists warming themselves within their own circle. I often say, “It is good to be an artist; each solo exhibition is like a birthday party, gathering family, friends, and artist friends whom one has not seen for a long time.”

After the grand opening, the large assembly of artists moved to Yongning’s hometown, Lukang. The painter’s family hosted a banquet. Everyone boarded a large tour bus to arrive at the ancient city of Lukang. As the lights began to shine, we visited the historical landmark Longshan Temple, paid respects to the deities, and experienced the decorative patterns of the temple that serve as the source of Yongning’s creativity. Finally, we arrived at the “Honglou Restaurant” in Lukang. There were eight or ten tables of artist friends and local elders who are friends of Yongning’s father. Traditional Taiwanese banquet dishes featuring over a dozen Lukang local flavors were served with red wine and beer for us to savor and enjoy. Not only the painter, the curator, the painter’s father, but also the Mayor of Lukang Town came to toast. We enjoyed a feast of art and food, chatting and laughing over fine wine until late at night, catching the last train home. I also met some new artist friends. I sincerely thank Yongning and his wife, as well as his father, for their care and attention. It was truly a wonderful day.