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Museum Holds Exhibition in Honor of Taiwanese Artists

To mark the 63rd anniversary of the February 28 (228) Incident, the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum is holding a special art exhibition featuring the life and works of Taiwanese artists Chen Cheng-po and Pu Tien-seng. The exhibition runs through March 31. Chen is one of the most renowned Taiwanese painters of his time. His work “At the Outskirts of Chiayi” was displayed at the Imperial Art Exhibition (Teiten) of 1926 – one of the most important art exhibitions of Imperial Japan. Unfortunately, the talented artist from Chiayi lost his life during the 228 Incident; he was 52. Pu Tien-seng is a local pioneer in the field of western sculpture. He is also Chen’s son-in-law and the creator of the first statue of Sun Yat-sen in Taiwan. Dignitaries attending the opening ceremony include Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Deputy Mayor Lee Yong-ping, President of the 228 Memorial Foundation Chan Chi-shean, and the surviving family members of the artists. There were also many visitors from Chiayi – the hometown of Chen – on the first day of the exhibition. Hau remarked that Chen is one of the most respected local artists whose works give viewers a strong taste of Taiwan’s countryside and culture. However, history has been unfair to the great artist by burying his work in forgotten corners and preventing open discussions about his creations. The mayor also revealed that he has met Pu before; the sculptor’s works and his experience in the field for over 50 years really impress Hau. Pu’s son expressed his gratitude to the mayor and the Department of Cultural Affairs for their roles in the rehabilitation of the sculptor’s residence and reopening it to the public. He also unveiled the painting “Camel”, a wedding gift from the painter to Pu and his wife in 1939.