The Walking Mountain: Lee Shien-Wen Solo Exhibition in Remembrance of the 921 Earthquake

Hong-Gah Museum is proud to present “The Walking Mountain: Lee Shien-Wen Solo Exhibition in Remembrance of the 921 Earthquake”. After Lee Shien-Wen ceased publication of “Lion Art Monthly”, he devoted himself to studying ink painting, maintaining a long-term focus on Taiwan’s natural environment and diverse cultures. He records his travels and observations through ink paintings, creating works during his extensive journeys. Over the past decade, his creations and publications have received widespread acclaim, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to art. This exhibition focuses on the post-disaster recovery of nature, while also showcasing significant works from Lee Shien-Wen’s ink painting career.

The 921 Earthquake was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Taiwan’s history, causing the Ninety-Nine Peaks in Nantou to face destruction overnight, resulting in countless broken families and severe losses. One of the main exhibits is Lee’s large scroll painting “Three Visits to Ninety-Nine Peaks,” completed in 2001. After the earthquake, Lee visited the Ninety-Nine Peaks multiple times, documenting the post-disaster landscape and the process of reconstruction. This piece, with its grand scale, reflects the profound shock of the earthquake and will be exhibited in its complete form for the first time in over twenty years. The prominent late artist Hsiung Ping-ming (1922-2002) praised this work for its innovative techniques and delicate emotions, noting that the theme of the earthquake is unprecedented in traditional ink painting.

In addition to “Three Visits to Ninety-Nine Peaks,” the exhibition will feature Lee’s recent large-scale works “Still Waters” and “The Walking Mountain.” These works are inspired by Lee’s observations of the landscape during his recent visits to Ninety-Nine Peaks. “Still Waters” depicts the broad surface of the Wu River, reflecting the scenery of the Ninety-Nine Peaks like a mirror. “The Walking Mountain” reveals the changes in the Ninety-Nine Peaks over time, capturing the daily transformations of the flora and fauna on the mountain. The exhibition will also include sixteen small folding screen works depicting the Ninety-Nine Peaks appearance across different seasons and perspectives. These new works use calm and simple brushstrokes to outline the natural changes over the past twenty-five years, demonstrating the artist’s insights into nature and the passage of time.

Additionally, the exhibition reviews major natural disasters in Taiwan following the 921 Earthquake, such as the 2001 Taozhi Typhoon and the 2009 Morakot Typhoon. Another set of works, “Flowing Changes,” centers on these disasters, depicting dramatic landscapes such as landslides and driftwood. These pieces were created from Lee’s firsthand experiences in disaster-stricken areas, providing solace through artistic expression.

The exhibition design reflects the themes of disaster and restoration, trauma and recovery. Before entering the main exhibition hall, visitors will first see Lee’s early works including the “Seeing Taipei Series,” “Climbing Shei-Pa,” “Taroko Triptych,” and “Remnants of the Landscape”. These works showcase his long-term concern for the natural environment and the evolution of his brushwork. Lee Shien-Wen’s contemporary ink paintings have introduced new expressive methods, reflecting modern perspectives and universal values. In the face of climate change, the threats posed by the environment have become more visible, while art provides a sanctuary, leading viewers to contemplate the meaning of life and the relationship between humanity and nature.

Executive Organizer: Hong-Gah Museum