Introduction

In 2025, the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) enriched its permanent collection with 40 invaluable original works by Yen Shui-long. Spanning a diverse range of mediums—including craft design manuscripts, ceramics, and bamboo furniture—this acquisition forms the core of the exhibition "Craft Flow." The exhibition takes a retrospective look at the developmental trajectory of modern Taiwanese craft through the lenses of cultural enlightenment, daily practice, and aesthetic translation. Craft is far from a static object; it is a dynamic form of cultural fluidity rooted in daily life and responsive to the changing times. It is shaped through manual labor, utilized within daily living, and continuously generates new meanings through the interplay between people and their environment.

As a seminal advocate for modern Taiwanese craft, Yen Shui-long did not merely engage in artistic practice as a creator; he actively propelled craft into public life and social spheres. What he left behind is not just a body of work reflecting historical value, but an intellectual vision of "how craft becomes the culture of living." The conceptual pillars of this exhibition, "deliberate craftsmanship" (man-gong) and "living artistry" (huo-yi), serve as a reinterpretation of his creative spirit and cultural practice—extending from a deeply rooted, meticulous approach to craft to a philosophy of life where art seamlessly integrates into the everyday.

With "living water" as its central metaphor, the exhibition conceptualizes craft as a continuous flow of cultural energy: settling and accumulating within archives, transforming anew within contemporary contexts, and being re-perceived and practiced through daily experience. The exhibition is organized into three thematic sections:

"Coordinates on Paper" focuses on craft design manuscripts, unveiling the design thinking and methodology during the modernization of Taiwanese craft while mirroring Yen’s patient, disciplined spirit of man-gong.

"Contours of the Land" showcases ceramic and painted works that translate Indigenous cultures, demonstrating his profound care for local terroir and folk aesthetics.

"Art as Life" features works such as bamboo furniture to reflect his philosophy of embedding craft into home spaces and daily use, highlighting the contemporary significance of huo-yi as an attitude toward living.

Through this exhibition, viewers are invited to rediscover how Yen Shui-long synthesized Western modern art, the Japanese Mingei (Folk Crafts) movement, and the local cultural context of Taiwan, successfully transforming craft into functional everyday utensils imbued with beauty and cultural depth. His advocacy of "Art as Life" not only embodies a harmonious balance among culture, design, and industry, but also stands as a testament to the milestone journey of Taiwanese craft as it transitioned from local tradition to modernity, and from pure technique to profound cultural practice.

Exhibition Information
Exhibition Title: Craft Flow: The Yen Shui-long Craft Collection Exhibition
Dates: May 29, 2026 – December 20, 2026
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:00 (Closed on Mondays, except national holidays)
Venue: 1F, Craft Information Hall, NTCRI (No. 574, Zhongzheng Rd., Caotun Township, Nantou County)