Jiannian, known as "cutting and pasting," involves cutting colorful porcelain into pieces, pasting them onto plaster surfaces, and then refining them with detailed painting. This traditional craft integrates sculpture, porcelain, painting, and inlaying techniques, and is closely tied to temple culture, making it a unique form of Taiwanese folk art. However, in the 1980s, the mass production of "lintang"（drip enamel materials）severely impacted the traditional Jiannian craft, which emphasized slow and meticulous craftsmanship. As a result, the craft and its artisans faced a decline.In response to challenges from life and career, San-Huo Chen, a humble and introspective artist, pioneered a new jiannian technique called "Random Tapping." His works evolved from traditional half-relief sculptures to fully three-dimensional pieces, featuring diverse themes and playful material combinations. His creations are dynamic and often infused with a touch of humor, giving new life to the jiannian craft and expanding the possibilities for contemporary adaptations of the traditional craft.

In this exhibition, 32 works of San-Huo Chen are featured and four themes, along with tools, materials, and multimedia, will be presented："The Starting Point of Learning the Craft," "The Creation of the random tapping Technique," "Exploration of New Media" and "Focus on Diverse Themes." In coherent sections, the exhibition introduces Chen’s journey in mastering the craft and his creative breakthroughs, including his shift to random tapping technique after life changes. Additionally, the exhibition highlights his use of sustainable materials like oyster shells, showcasing his daring exploration of new themes in the jiannian creations. Along with the exhibition narrative, we hope to present Chen’s optimistic and open-minded attitude toward life, his unwavering commitment to passing on the jiannian tradition, and constantly dedication to transcending himself.

Exhibition Duration: 2024.11.02 - 2024.02.09
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays (Including national holidays) 09:30-17:30
Venue: 2F, Taipei Branch, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute
Address: NO. 41, Nanhai Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100052, Taiwan (R.O.C.)