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On the evening of March 7, starlight shimmered over the usually tranquil Jinzun in Taitung. The Paul Chiang Art Center drew together prominent figures from the worlds of art, culture, and business, as the opening celebration radiated with the brilliance of beauty and goodwill.
The artist Paul Chiang first conceived of opening his studio to the public three to four decades ago—a gesture he saw as a modest contribution to society. Over the past twelve years, this vision was gradually shaped into reality. Together with his wife, Mrs. Claire Fan, Chiang devoted their life’s savings to transforming a modest metal-roofed studio into what is now the Paul Chiang Art Center (hereafter referred to as “the Center”), which will officially open to the public on March 15.
At the press conference, co-founders Paul Chiang and Stanley Yen were joined by Taitung County Magistrate Yao Ching-ling and former Magistrate Justin Huang; the Center’s architect Yu Han Michael Lin; Fumio Nanjo, curator of the inaugural exhibition; co-curator Jason Chi; and the Center’s four honorary directors: Lee Mei-Ling, Lung Yingtai, Fumio Nanjo, and Yu-Chiou Tchen. Five key business leaders who contributed to the construction—Mr. Raymond Soong, Ms. Katrina Huang, Ms. Maggi Chen, Mr. Chou Chun-Chi, and Mr. Kenny Cheng—were also present to show their support.
A Shared Vision, Carried Forward through Philanthropy
Stanley Yen opened with heartfelt thanks to each corporate sponsor who contributed to the Center’s construction, the board members of the Paul Chiang Arts & Culture Foundation and The Alliance Cultural Foundation (which co-manage the Center’s operations), and collectors who donated works back to the Center's collection.
He shared a story: over a decade ago, while giving a lecture in San Francisco, he met Professor Teresa Meng, a trailblazer in the tech world, who expressed a desire to give back to her homeland in the next chapter of her life. At the time, Yen and Chiang had only just begun imagining the idea of the Center. Professor Meng acquired a painting from Chiang’s Pisilian series but never requested it be shipped. Instead, she told them, “Didn’t you and Mr. Chiang have a dream? When the Center opens, let this be the first donated piece for its collection.”
From that moment, as the dream of the Center became clearer, a wave of goodwill and support gathered around it. As Magistrate Yao said during her remarks, “I believe that the energy generated here will grow, allowing the arts of Taitung and Taiwan to connect with the world. We are fortunate to be a part of this passing of the torch—and may this spirit and love be passed on, one person to the next.
The Power of Art, A Platform for Culture
First introduced to Paul Chiang in Taitung in 2014, Fumio Nanjo shared that curating the opening exhibition of the Paul Chiang Art Center is “an extraordinary honor.” With a smile, he added, “Even for a seasoned curator, having such an opportunity is rare.” He felt he had become part of the Center’s history—and, in a broader sense, part of Taitung’s history as well.
“This Center will be a vital cultural platform for the city,” he said. “It will be a place where people come together, learn, and exchange ideas. Everyone who supports it is contributing not only to the arts but also to the community and society.” Drawing from his experience promoting art in Japan, he remarked, “I have seen how a place can be transformed by art—because art has its own kind of magic.”
In his closing remarks, Paul Chiang began by offering heartfelt thanks. “Without your support, Stanley (Yen) and I would still be dreaming.”
He shared his “small yet sincere vision”:
“I hope that everyone who visits this carefully created art center, nestled in the natural beauty of Taitung, will feel deeply happy—that many beautiful things are unfolding. And I hope they leave with a renewed sense of hope for themselves, for tomorrow, and for this land. Tomorrow will be better.”
Museums personally built by living artists are rare around the world. Transforming a private studio into a space for the public, Nanjo believes this Center marks “the beginning of a new chapter in history.” Within its grounds lie traces of Paul Chiang’s creative and personal journey over the past decade. Moving forward, the presence of visitors will help write the Center’s next chapter.
Note: The Cheng-Han Gallery (the third exhibition hall) was generously donated by Mr. Daniel M. Tsai, who could not attend the opening ceremony due to overseas commitments.
[Postscript]
The staff uniforms were designed by Taiwanese designer Just In XX (Justin Chou), with prints inspired by Chiang’s paintings of Taiwan’s mountain ranges, reimagined in the deep hues of the surrounding sea. The fabric was repurposed from surplus material originally used for the Chinese Taipei delegation’s uniforms at the Paris Olympics, embodying the sustainable concept of “reinvented echoes.”
About Paul Chiang Art Center
Nestled between mountains and sea, the Paul Chiang Art Center, located in Jinzun, Taitung, will officially open on Saturday, March 15, after years of anticipation. Overlooking the serene Pacific coastline, the Center is an expansion of renowned artist Paul Chiang’s former studio. This harmonious integration of nature, art, and architecture was co-designed by Chiang and architect Michael Lin, who practices in both Taiwan and Germany. Stanley Yen, co-founder of the Center, serves as its Director.
The inaugural exhibition is curated by esteemed art critic Fumio Nanjo, currently Senior Advisor at the Mori Art Museum in Japan, and co-curated by artist Jason Chi, both of whom are active figures on the international art scene.
959 No. 132-2, Jinzun, Donghe Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
Wed to Mon (Closed on Tuesdays)
10:00-17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Inaugural Exhibition Light, Beauty, and Purification: March 15 to September 28
Book your ticket at www.paulchiangartcenter.org—enjoy a special discount before June 30, 2025!