As Taiwan's first-generation artist in Western-style painting, Master Shui-Long Yen, embarked on a train trip around Taiwan for more than five months to conduct field research in craft industry in 1937. This journey prompted Master Yen’s drift away from art creation to the field of crafts. 

National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute was formerly known as Nantou County Craft Research Training Program founded by Shui-Long Yen in July 1954. It has since influenced many prominent first-generation craft artists in Taiwan and shaped the course of Taiwan's crafts history and industry.

Using the image of "big tree" to symbolize the evolution and development of craft ecology, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute is the origin of Taiwan's craft development. Through the “wind” the seeds of crafts have been spread all over the country, and taken root after 70 years. Today the craft has taken various forms and evolved into many diverse styles throughout the island.

By launching the “Craft Pilgrimage,” we begin a cross-regional “tour” in six areas. The character of “tour” in Mandarin includes “walk” on the left-hand side, and “river” in the middle, which refers to as the boundary of respective regions and perfectly echoes that the “Craft Pilgrimage” is nurtured by mountains and rivers, natural environment and ecological areas. It shows that the unique appearance formed by local crafts and creative artworks bring us the value and inspiration of beautiful life, creating a productive cycle of "living crafts and crafts in living.”

As a city of diverse exchanges, Taipei showcases a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity. From ceramics to metalwork, and extending to contemporary digital art and design, the city presents a vibrant and colorful landscape of arts and crafts. Combining different materials, innovative brands, and modern craft installations, works with unique styles reflect the city's open and creative spirit.

Second Stop of the Craft Pilgrimage in Taipei - Embracing the Trendy Wave

Dates: 2024.08.31 - 2024.10.20

Venue: National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute —Taipei Branch, 2ed & 3rd Floors