Taiwan boasts a diverse array of attractions, from its lively cities to its breathtaking landscapes. Immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant history and culture by experiencing its art forms. From contemporary art galleries brimming with innovative works that push the boundaries of creativity to traditional music that resonates with the rich heritage of the land, Taiwan’s artistic scene is a dynamic tapestry of old and new.
In our second article of this five-part series, we highlight Taiwan’s local arts scene which tells a compelling story of resilience, identity, and innovation.
Explore Taiwan’s art forms
One of the best ways to learn about Taiwan is visually, through its art. Check out our interview with some young Taiwanese artists, LIN+WEI as well as Peggy Kuo for their recommendations for places you can visit to get a first-hand view of the state of Taiwan’s society.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
One of the best – and free – places to visit in Taipei is Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Zhongzheng District. It’s Taiwan’s primary creative arts centre where you can spend hours, especially if you’re into artsy stuff.
Huashan was originally constructed in 1914 by the Japanese as the site of a sake plant and later became the Taihoku Winery. When the winery relocated in 1987, the space slowly evolved into Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a vibrant venue for art and cultural exhibitions, performances, and creative endeavours by individuals and organisations.
Today, you can explore its variety of restaurants, art galleries, cultural performances, and creative stores, all houses within charming red brick factories and industrial buildings. Check out wooden toys and games at Wonderful Life, or check out Vinyl Decision, a diner which also retails retro vinyls.
The exhibits here rotate frequently, and there are plenty of spots for the perfect ‘gram. When you feel tired or peckish, there are numerous hipster cafes and restaurants where you can whet your appetite.
Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art
The Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art (aka MoCA) is renowned for showcasing cutting-edge artworks from both local Taiwanese artists and international artists. The museum features everything from avant-garde installations and performances, to contemporary multimedia works. Notable exhibitions in the past have included retrospectives of influential Taiwanese artists, themed group shows exploring social issues, and collaborative projects with artists from around the world, from Yayoi Kusama to renowned Taiwanese artists, and Taiwanese political activist and painter, Yang Maolin, cementing MoCA’s reputation as a hub for experimental and boundary-pushing contemporary art.
In many ways, MoCA is a must-visit for anyone interested in the social impact of art, as it’s a nexus for deeply introspective exhibitions, which often don’t get the mainstream coverage they deserve, such as current and upcoming exhibitions including Q POWER, which explores interrelated aspects of queer literature, music, and art, and Interested Persons, which explores the gender imbalance and inequality of power.
Listen to the sounds of Taiwan
While Mandopop enjoys widespread fame as Taiwan’s most prominent musical export, exploring other local musicians can offer a unique journey that transports you directly into the island’s vibrant landscapes. Check out our interviews with musicians who have a strong connection with Taiwan’s nature and culture:
Cicada
To experience Taiwan through music, listen to Cicada. Their songs draw inspiration from the island’s diverse natural landscapes, offering a melodic journey through Taiwan’s breathtaking scenery. Their piece Light Shining Through the Sea, for instance, is inspired by Taiwan’s east coast and the Pacific Ocean. The ensemble has also composed works inspired by the island’s mountains, valleys, and rivers.
Cicada’s music is profoundly emotive for a reason. “I visit various places in Taiwan to compose music for the band. If it’s related to nature, I have to go in person,” says Jesy, the band’s pianist and songwriter. For their latest album, Seeking the Sources of Streams, Jesy embarked on a month-long solo hiking journey through Taiwan’s majestic central mountains. She traversed rain-soaked trails, ridgelines, cirques, and ancient forests, bringing back vivid visual references to inspire her bandmates.
Formed in 2009, Cicada is a chamber music quartet, composed of pianist Jesy, violinist Kai, cellist Tao, and acoustic guitarist Ocean. Their compositions evoke the familiar, emotive quality of film soundtracks, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli scores. “Most of us live in a small part of a big city. Many don’t go out to explore nature, so they become afraid. We want to let people love this land through our music,” says Jesy.
Their creations resonate with the melodies of the island and their personal journeys of self-discovery, earning Cicada recognition as a nature-inspired chamber ensemble that reflects the essence of Taiwan’s soul. You can listen to Cicada’s music on Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.
Aboriginal Music: Pawan Nose Flute
When most people think of mainstream Taiwanese music, obviously names like Jay Chou and Mayday dominate the discussion. But in the last few years, a lot of people are starting to take notice of what’s arguably the most Taiwanese music of all: Taiwan’s many aboriginal artists.
Taiwan has 16 officially recognised aboriginal tribes, each with their own unique language and musical traditions. Much of their culture is now permeating into mainstream Mandopop – take Taiwanese Paiwan superstar, ABAO (aka Aljenljeng Tjaluvie), for instance. She performs in Mandarin, Hokkien, and Paiwan, and won Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2020 Golden Melody Awards (equivalent to Taiwan’s Grammy Awards) with her Paiwan-language album “Kinakaian” (meaning “Mother Tongue” in Paiwan). It was a moment that cemented the ascendance of aboriginal music into the Taiwanese mainstream.
ABAO isn’t the only indigenous artist making waves. There are other emerging artists like ABAO’s protege “žž”, with her iconic mellow voice who was nominated for Album of the Year in 2021. There’s also Outlet Drift, the avant-garde Amis (tribe) rock band, who are putting an indigenous, Amis-language voice to grunge and punk. Then there are artists like Ilid Kaolo, who’s won multiple GMAs including Best New Artist with her mix of bossa, blues, electronic, and traditional aboriginal music. She’s garnered a significant international following, and played major global music festivals like Fuji Rock.
Beyond pop music, Taiwan is home to indigenous musicians who perform tribal songs using traditional instruments such as the nose flute. Traditionally played by men during rituals and ceremonies to communicate with spirits and ancestors, the nose flute’s serene tones are now also embraced by female musicians like Sauniaw Tjuveljevelj, who has become a prominent figure in revitalising and promoting this ancient art form.
Sauniaw’s exceptional talent has earned her multiple nominations for the Golden Melody Awards, where she stands out in categories such as Best Indigenous Singer and Best Indigenous Album. For over 30 years, she has also dedicated herself to teaching others to play the nose flute, tirelessly working to preserve her tribe’s rich musical heritage.
The flute’s distinctive sound, characterised by its clear notes that evokes a deep sense of serenity and connection to nature, serves as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience for the Paiwan tribe.
You can listen to Sauniaw’s performance here:
Want to find out more? Be sure to watch “The Soul of Taiwan” for an exclusive interview with these innovative creators!
