[Cover Story] When faced with abstract art, people often ask, “What is this painting supposed to represent?” For teachers standing before a classroom of children, many may feel anxious: “How should I teach this?”

To create a fresh gateway into aesthetics education, the Art Center hosted its second Summer Educator Workshop! Building on the core belief that “true education begins only after inspiration,” this year's program centered on the theme “Deconstruction: The Gateway to Abstract Art.” Instructors Sun Ju-chun and Lin Fu-chun were invited to lead a three-day workshop for 30 educators from across Taiwan, using the Sharestart (Xue-Si-Da) teaching method to guide participants through observation, inquiry, and classroom application.

From gathering inspiration throughout the Art Center grounds and having an unexpected encounter with Mr. Paul Chiang on Day 1, to observing, questioning, and transforming insights into classroom practice, participants rediscovered the dialogue among lines, media, and nature. When teachers are first deeply moved by art, they can open new windows of wonder for their students. Read more.

In August, ancient Paiwan chants met Western classical piano for the first time at the Art Center during the salon concert “Light through Piano and Chant,” presented by Germany-based Paiwan pianist Langpaw Tjaugadu and his sister, Zepulj.

Langpaw, who moved to Germany at age 16 to pursue music and currently teaches at the Stuttgart Municipal Music School, was back in his home county of Taitung, where he gave two special performances at the Art Center. He performed masterpieces by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Bach, and Schumann, while also joining Zepulj in a separate collaboration bringing traditional Paiwan chants together with piano.

Ancient Paiwan chants embody the most elemental melodies of his life—a calling that remains vivid no matter how far he travels. This performance retraced his journey from Taitung to the world stage and back home. Co-founder Stanley Yen remarked that this was an irreplaceable, one-of-a-kind concert.

Upcoming Event: September 26 Salon Concert featuring cellist Shih-Lin Chen & pianist Miki Fujiwara.

Following the visit of the EU Diplomatic Delegation in May, the Art Center hosted a premier cultural exchange concert in mid-August: a piano recital by young German pianist Jonathan Wagner. Jointly organized by the German Institute Taipei and the Paul Chiang Art and Culture Foundation, the event was facilitated by Dr. Karsten Tietz, Director of the German Institute Taipei, marking the first formal cultural partnership between Taitung and Germany.

The 19-year-old virtuoso and multiple award winner performed classics including Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata and Stravinsky's The Firebird Suite beside Paul Chiang’s iconic painting Sound of Ocean.

The concert also sparked a wonderful connection. Langpaw Tjaugadu, who returned to Taitung for the summer, currently teaches at the Stuttgart Municipal Music School—the very institution where Jonathan received his formal training. Meeting in Taitung, the two musicians joined together as encore duets, creating a delightful cross-cultural surprise for the audience.

In his address, Director Karsten Tietz noted that in his first year in office, he was pleased to see positive growth in German-Taiwanese relations and expressed his hopes of inviting the German Youth Orchestra to Taitung next year. The Art Center continues to use art as a bridge, sharing the beauty of Taitung with the world.

From July to August, the Art Center welcomed five high school interns from Junyi School of Innovation in Taitung. During a month-long social internship, they stepped beyond their familiar role as students, guiding visitors through exhibition halls and serving at the café while tackling rigorous docent training and the real-time challenges working on the front lines.

One intern shared stories of art and life with visitors, recalling: “When a visitor learned that I was utterly fascinated by mummies, she generously gave me a rare museum ticket she had kept from her over seven years of working at the Chimei Museum. That unexpected connection left a deep impression on me!” Another intern shared candidly about personal growth: “The biggest change for me was breaking my habit of staying up late during school breaks! Getting up early every morning to catch the bus to my internship forced me to develop healthier daily routines.”

Reflecting on their rapid transformation, Deputy Director Tsao Yung-ting observed: “Facing setbacks with humility, learning to adjust, and continuing to move forward are invaluable life lessons. The journey itself is often far more meaningful than the destination.” From initial stage fright during their first tours to receiving five-star Google reviews, the Art Center was proud to witness their growth and hopes these summer experiences will empower them in their future endeavors.

Where do the boundaries of art lie?

Now 84, with more than six decades of artistic practice behind him, artist Paul Chiang was forced to slow the pace of his lifelong creative journey in the spring of 2026. Yet, this period of stillness and reflection opened the door to an even freer artistic dimension. 

On September 18, the Paul Chiang Art Center will launch the new exhibition “Beyond the Canvas: Matter and Spirit in the Art of Paul Chiang,” curated jointly by Paul Chiang and the Foundation's curatorial team. The exhibition features personally selected artworks, thoughtfully designed exhibition layouts, and newly developed interpretative contexts.

The exhibition will debut new series such as Beyond the Canvas and Art Can Purify the Soul. Chiang, known for his abstract visual language, will also present rare works that he describes as among his “most realistic.” Additionally, his signature work Perish—created from construction formwork and previously exhibited at the Taitung Art Museum—returns in a newly reimagined presentation at the Center's Gallery 3.

As his pace slows, what unexplored possibilities remain in the artist’s heart? We invite you to step “Beyond the Canvas” and witness a dialogue that transcends the boundaries of life and artistic form.

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LINE