Creative Lifestyle Exhibition: Presentation of Artists and Works

Emma Agarwood | 2021-01-12

The exhibition "La Vie Créative" celebrates the encounter between contemporary art and the mystical essence of agarwood. Through works rich in symbolism, the guest artists explore transformation, resilience, and the profound connection between nature and humanity. Discover the artists and their unique creations, inspired by the history and magic of agarwood.

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Jazz Szu-Ying Chen

Born in 1990 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Jazz Szu-Ying Chen lived in Europe for nearly ten years before returning to New Taipei City to pursue her art. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, she draws inspiration from medical visual arts and Eastern myths, creating works that combine Gothicism, anatomy, and cultural superstitions. Her captivating collages, such as her series inspired by the “Book of Mountains and Seas,” explore cultural conflict and themes of social reinterpretation in black and white.

Artwork :

Chen explores the transformation of agarwood, a resilience symbolized by the tree's wounds, linking it to human anatomy. Inspired by the Nordic Tree of Life, her works reflect healing and rebirth, blending Catholic votive offerings with personal experiences.

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Han-Sheng Chen

Born in 1988 in Kaohsiung, Han-Sheng Chen is a new media artist who graduated from the National Taipei University of the Arts. His work explores the relationship between humans and nature, often through agricultural metaphors. A recipient of several awards, he is recognized for his innovative approach to ecological art.

Artwork :

In “Rou Xun Hui Yun,” Chen uses the long formation of agarwood as a metaphor for time and resistance. Trees, symbols of life and memory, become the center of his reflection on nature and the passing of the seasons.

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Chang Ling

Born in 1975 in Hualien, Taiwan, Chang Ling graduated from the Beaux-Arts de Paris, where he studied under Christian Boltanski and Jean-Luc Vilmouth. His work explores the notions of beauty and happiness in our contemporary societies.

Artwork :

“Silent Dialogue,” created in collaboration with Emma Agarwood, is a subtle still life inspired by the contrasts between Eastern and Western philosophies. The work encourages reflection on perceptions of aesthetics and harmony.

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Chih-Cheng Huang

Born in 1988 in Miaoli, Taiwan, Chih-Cheng Huang is a fine artist whose works are featured in major collections such as the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. His creations are strongly influenced by memory and emotion.

Artwork :

In “Return to Origins,” Huang uses the scent of agarwood to evoke memories deeply rooted in emotion. His work explores how scents can awaken forgotten memories and influence our inner state.

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Ping-Cheng Liang

Born in 1958 in Pingtung, Taiwan, Ping-Cheng Liang is a master woodcarver specializing in the use of local materials. His artisanal approach pays homage to Taiwan's natural resources.

Artwork :

“The Non-Book Book,” carved from agarwood, is a collaboration with Emma Agarwood that symbolizes the encounter between art and nature. Liang follows the natural lines of the wood, paying homage to its raw and organic essence.

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Yu-Sheng Chiu

A hearing-impaired artist, Yu-Sheng Chiu has transformed his art into a means of personal expression, combining his creations with the café culture in his studio. A graduate of the Chinese Culture University, he teaches art and shares his experience through his works.

Artwork :

In “Sedimentation and Accumulation,” Chiu uses the process of agarwood formation to illustrate growth and transformation. Three colors, white, yellow, and black, represent the stages of this formation, symbolizing resilience in the face of challenges and the evolution of the soul.

For a last word..

The Creative Life Exhibition, through the collaboration of visionary artists, highlights the symbolic and aesthetic power of agarwood. Each of these works draws on the depth of the wood transformation process, echoing human resilience and the intimate links between nature and culture.