Chen Tao-Ming｜Thrust: Convergence and Expansion of the São Paulo Art Biennial through the NMH Collection｜National Museum of History
Dates｜2026.04.10–05.31
Hours｜Tue-Sun 10:00 – 18:00
Venue｜Exhibition Rooms 101, 102, 103, National Museum of History
Curator｜Dr. Ke-hsin Wei
The significant work Vers la vie by artist Chen Tao-Ming (1931–2017) is currently on display at the National Museum of History (NMH) as part of the exhibition " Thrust : Convergence and Expansion of the São Paulo Art Biennial through the NMH Collection." This exhibition revisits the illustrious history of the NMH's selection of Taiwanese artists for the São Paulo Art Biennial between 1957 and 1973. Through these overlooked archives, the exhibition leads the audience to rediscover the developmental trajectory of contemporary art in Taiwan.
Vers la vie is not only a representative masterpiece of the artist but also a vessel for the complexities of its era. In 1959, it represented Taiwan at the inaugural Paris Biennale. Subsequently, in early 1960, it was scheduled to debut at the NMH for the "Inaugural Exhibition of the Chinese Modern Art Center." However, due to the political climate of the time, the exhibition was forced to a halt. The work eventually met the public only after being moved to the auditorium of the United States Information Service (USIS). Having been held in the NMH storehouse for decades until its public unveiling in 2024, this precious piece of the collection holds profound significance today as a means of piercing together historical fragments.
Born in Shandong, Chen Tao-Ming studied modern painting under Li Chun-Shan in his early years. In 1956, alongside friends such as Hsiao Chin and Li Yuan-Chia, he co-founded the "Ton Fan Group"—the first abstract painting group in the Chinese-speaking world. Hailed as one of the " The Eight Highwaymen of the East," he was a pivotal figure in Taiwan's painting revolution. Chen was twice invited to participate in the São Paulo Art Biennial (1959 and 1965), and the profound spiritual atmosphere of his work garnered significant attention from the French critic Gérald Gassiot-Talabot. In 1962, he was awarded the Silver Medal at the Hong Kong International Salon of Paintings. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of History, and the MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) in Spain.
More information
https://event.culture.tw/mocweb/reg/NMH/ExhibitionDetail.init.ctr?actId=60032&utm_source=moc&utm_medium=query&utm_campaign=60032&request_locale=en&useLanguage=en
Vers la vie is not only a representative masterpiece of the artist but also a vessel for the complexities of its era. In 1959, it represented Taiwan at the inaugural Paris Biennale. Subsequently, in early 1960, it was scheduled to debut at the NMH for the "Inaugural Exhibition of the Chinese Modern Art Center." However, due to the political climate of the time, the exhibition was forced to a halt. The work eventually met the public only after being moved to the auditorium of the United States Information Service (USIS). Having been held in the NMH storehouse for decades until its public unveiling in 2024, this precious piece of the collection holds profound significance today as a means of piercing together historical fragments.
Born in Shandong, Chen Tao-Ming studied modern painting under Li Chun-Shan in his early years. In 1956, alongside friends such as Hsiao Chin and Li Yuan-Chia, he co-founded the "Ton Fan Group"—the first abstract painting group in the Chinese-speaking world. Hailed as one of the " The Eight Highwaymen of the East," he was a pivotal figure in Taiwan's painting revolution. Chen was twice invited to participate in the São Paulo Art Biennial (1959 and 1965), and the profound spiritual atmosphere of his work garnered significant attention from the French critic Gérald Gassiot-Talabot. In 1962, he was awarded the Silver Medal at the Hong Kong International Salon of Paintings. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of History, and the MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) in Spain.
More information
https://event.culture.tw/mocweb/reg/NMH/ExhibitionDetail.init.ctr?actId=60032&utm_source=moc&utm_medium=query&utm_campaign=60032&request_locale=en&useLanguage=en