Spotlight on Taiwanese artist Liu Chih-hung

Today, in our spotlight story, we meet award-winning artist, Liu Chih-hung. After attending an art residency program in the Netherlands, he was inspired to build a series of ceramic-based sound installations and sculptures inspired by serpents. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Liu to find out more about his work

This is the largest ceramic installation at the exhibition, "Udu and the Tone." Created by Liu, the piece was inspired by a Nigerian percussion instrument, the udu. Liu spent over a year creating this work with a mixture of black clays, sand and gravel. The serpentine sculptures emit sounds from different cultures. Liu said he spent a year researching ceramics and clays and learning about folk instruments and sound resonance in cylindrical structures.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
It’s a very traditional instrument from Nigeria called Udu. I tried to use the udu to make it different, like using sculpture ways, use ceramics, clay and using fire, and different types of clays and different temperatures of fire so it will have so many different kinds of tones.

There’s also this sculpture, “The Trap,” modeled after traditional fish traps. Traditionally made out of bamboo, Liu recreated his with clay to create his. It is shaped like drums and can be played like an instrument.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
People usually use it to catch fishes in the river but it is usually made out of bamboo. I just used the shape and also used another kind of material like clay to make the shape of the trap. Also, you can see there is a snake inside the trap and also the bodies coiling together.

Born in Hsinchu, Liu has won several prestigious art awards ver the course of his artistic career. His works have been collected by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. His creations span a variety of mediums, including ceramic sculptures, paintings, images, installations, and even short films. During his art residency at the European Ceramic Work Centre in 2021, Liu became inspired to create a series of ceramic sound installations and sculptures that revolve around the theme of serpents. Through his works, he hopes to explore the relationship between sound, cultural symbols and objects.

Liu Chih-hung
Artist
I tried to use the icon, the snake or we call serpent, to make the connection with some ceremony or some ritual in different areas. Because sometimes use songs to say something to other people. I am very curious about it.

Liu is currently participating in an art residency at the Yingge Ceramics Museum. He hopes to perfect his craft and continue to create a wide range of works in different mediums. His works will be on display at the Mind Set Art Center till Feb. 24.