TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Dec. 2019 / Vol.75

|Feature

The road to perfection

Craftsmanship and the aesthetic system of crafts are built over many years of experiences and become an integral part of the abundant cultural landscape. The National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, which has been leading Taiwan's craft development and fostering its craft ecosystem with government resources. Through the professional training programs on a regular basis, it helps pass down traditions and encourages innovative ideas, while showcasing what’s happening in the local craft community through its annual competition and certification process.

The inheritance of skills and arts has spread through many different ways with response to the changes of times. From the mentoring and apprenticeship in the early days to school education, and to the rapid development due to advancement of internet and technology in recent years, there are so many choices and paths to take for those who would like to polish their skills outside the formal education system.

This issue focuses on the results of the craft competition, how to strengthen the image of the national craft brand, and explores the latest craft trends in order to inspire artisans to give us more diverse and beautiful works; through the visits of previous winners and the showcase of their learning processes, it is hoped to provide the professionals and craft lovers more references to improve their works consistently.