版畫浪潮：2024臺南國際版畫展 Prints Kuroshio: 2024 Tainan International Print Exhibition

當代版畫藝術的新風貌與亞太連結

「版畫浪潮-2024臺南國際版畫展」是一場聚焦亞太地區優秀版畫藝術且極具意義的國際藝術盛事，邀請臺灣、日本、韓國、泰國、美國、澳洲、馬來西亞、孟加拉等國的藝術家齊聚臺南，透過版畫這一歷史悠久的藝術形式，進行文化的碰撞與思想的交流。臺灣週邊擁有如黑潮等太平洋上重要的洋流，不僅象徵著自然界中跨越國界的力量，也暗示著文化與藝術的流動。臺灣作為太平洋流流經的重要路線之一，自古便是東西方文化的交匯點，這次展覽正是以此為寓意，將臺灣作為連結亞太藝術的樞紐，展現當代版畫藝術的多樣性與創新性。

 

用版畫交流與國際結緣

版畫，作為一種跨文化的藝術形式，具備高度的技術性與表現力，能夠呈現出藝術家們對當代社會與個人情感的多樣詮釋。展覽以「版畫浪潮」為主題，冀望突顯版畫藝術的「分享」特質與連結性，這種連結不僅僅是地理位置上的，也是藝術思想與創作精神上的相通。透過邀請來自各國的優秀版畫作品，在府城臺南將不同文化的藝術表現匯聚一處，使觀者得以在作品中感受到全球版畫藝術的蓬勃發展與多元視角。

版畫藝術是一種跨國界的創作媒介，能夠打破語言與文化的障礙，成為國際交流的重要橋樑。每一位藝術家都帶著自己國家的歷史與文化背景，透過版畫創作出反映社會現狀與生命經驗的作品。此次展覽不僅是各國版畫藝術家的對話，更是一次以版畫為媒介，連結臺灣與亞太地區藝術社群的文化盛會。

此次參展作品深刻探討了當代議題，從環境變遷、社會議題、生活體悟等到身份認同，藝術家們透過版畫表達了他們對當下世界的關注與反思。這些作品不僅體現了個人情感，也有對全球議題的回應，展示了當代藝術家如何透過版畫創作，深入探討世界變遷與人類的未來發展方向。

 

臺南國際版畫展的文化價值與亞太地位

「版畫浪潮-2024臺南國際版畫展」的舉辦，不僅彰顯了臺灣在亞太地區文化藝術上的重要地位，也展現出臺南這座城市作為臺灣文化之都的魅力與活力。作為臺灣首府的臺南，具有得天獨厚的地理位置與深厚的文化背景，能夠成為連結亞太地區版畫藝術的關鍵節點，今年適逢「臺南400」壓軸活動，這個擁有豐富的文化資產與多樣歷史記憶的古都，國際版畫展選擇在此舉辦，既是對臺南這座歷史名城的致敬，也展現出臺南作為文化重鎮的特殊地位。此次展覽以洋流浪潮為象徵，強調了臺灣在亞太地緣政治與文化藝術交流中的重要性，將各國的藝術力量匯聚一處，形成了一股強大的藝術暖流，並展示了臺灣如何透過藝術創作，在全球文化版圖中占據一席之地，也為臺灣及亞太地區注入新的創作動力與文化價值。

 

指導單位︱臺南市政府

主辦單位︱臺南市美術館

協辦單位︱十青版畫會

 

New Horizons in Contemporary Printed Art, New Styles and Connections in the Asia-Pacific Region

The Prints Kuroshio: 2024 Tainan International Print Exhibition is a significant international art event highlighting exceptional print art from the Asia-Pacific region. Artists from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other countries have been invited to Tainan for an exchange of ideas and cultures via the time-honored art form of printmaking. Taiwan, surrounded by important Pacific Ocean currents such as the Kuroshio, is a symbol of the powerful natural forces that transcend national borders, which themselves hint at the movements of the twin forces of ‘culture’ and ‘art.’ As a key route for these Pacific currents, Taiwan has long been a point of convergence bringing Eastern and Western cultures together. This exhibition draws on this symbolism, positioning Taiwan as a nexus for different kinds of Asian-Pacific art while celebrating the diversity and innovation of contemporary printmaking.

 

Making International Connections Through Printmaking

Printmaking, as a cross-cultural art form, combines technical precision with raw expressive power, allowing for diverse interpretations of contemporary society and personal emotions by artists. The Prints Kuroshio  exhibition aims to highlight the shared nature and connectivity of print art – a connectivity that is not limited to geography, but one which extends to artistic thought and creative spirit. By showcasing outstanding printed works from various countries in a single location – Tainan – this event brings together the fruits of artistic expression from several different cultures, allowing viewers to experience the vibrant growth and diverse perspectives of printed art from around the world.

As a medium, printed art transcends borders, languages, and cultural barriers, serving as an important bridge for international exchange. Each artist carries with them their home nation’s unique history and cultural background, and uses printmaking to create works that reflect societal realities and life experiences. This exhibition represents not only a dialogue between print artists from different countries, but a grand cultural event connecting Taiwan with the wider Asian-Pacific art community.

The works featured in this exhibition delve deeply into major contemporary issues, with meditations on such themes as environmental changes, social concerns, life, and identity. Through printmaking, artists express their awareness and contemplation of the modern world, their pieces capturing individual emotions while simultaneously responding to global issues. In viewing them, we see how contemporary artists use printmaking to explore our evolving world and the future direction of humankind.

 

The Cultural Value and Significance in the Asia-Pacific Region of the Tainan International Printmaking Exhibition

The Prints Kuroshio: 2024 Tainan International Print Exhibition underscores Taiwan’s significant role in the Asian-Pacific art and cultural spheres, as well as highlighting the charm and vibrancy of Tainan as Taiwan’s cultural capital. As the former capital city, Tainan boasts a prime geographic location and a rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal nexus for Asian-Pacific printmaking art. This year, the exhibition coincides with the grand finale of Tainan 400, which celebrates Tainan’s deep-rooted cultural assets and diverse historical legacy. Hosting the international print exhibition here pays homage to this historic city and reinforces Tainan’s standing as a unique cultural stronghold.

With the ocean currents as its symbol, this exhibition also emphasizes Taiwan’s importance within the Asia-Pacific region’s geopolitics, culture, and artistic exchange. By bringing together artistic forces from across nations, it aims to create a powerful artistic current that demonstrates Taiwan’s place on the global cultural map through artistic expression, while also injecting new creative energy and cultural value into both Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Supervisor︱Tainan City Government

Organizer︱Tainan Art Museum

Co-organizer︱Evergreen Graphic Art Association