Taiwan boasts a diverse array of attractions, from its vibrant cities to its stunning natural landscapes. Immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant history and culture by experiencing its art forms. From contemporary art galleries filled with innovative works that push the boundaries of creativity to traditional music that resonates with the land’s rich heritage, Taiwan’s art scene is a dynamic tapestry of old and new.
In our second article in this five-part series, we highlight Taiwan's local art scene that tells a compelling story of resilience, identity, and innovation.
Explore Art Forms in Taiwan
Visual arts are one of the best ways to experience Taiwan. Check out our interview with some of Taiwan’s young artists, like LIN+WEI and Peggy Kuo, for their recommendations on places to visit to get a first-hand look at the state of Taiwanese society.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
One of the best free places to visit in Taipei is the Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Chongqing District. It is the main creative arts center in Taiwan where you can spend hours, especially if you are an art lover.
Huashan was originally built in 1914 by the Japanese as the site of a sake factory and later became the Taihoku Winery. When the winery was moved in 1987, the place slowly developed into Huashan 1914 Creative Parka vibrant venue for art and cultural exhibitions, performances and creative endeavors of individuals and organizations.
Today, you can explore a variety of restaurants, art galleries, cultural offerings, and creative shops, all housed within charming red brick factories and industrial buildings. Try wooden toys at Wonderful Life, or try Vinyl Decision, a restaurant that also sells vintage vinyl records.
The exhibits here are updated frequently, and there are plenty of places to take perfect photos. And when you get tired or hungry, there are plenty of trendy cafes and restaurants where you can satisfy your appetite.
Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art
The Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art (also known as MoCA) is known for showcasing cutting-edge artworks from both local Taiwanese 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, thematic group shows exploring social issues, and collaborative projects with artists from around the world, from Yayoi Kusama to renowned Taiwanese artists and political activist and painter Yang Maolin, cementing MoCA’s reputation as a hub for experimental and innovative contemporary art.
In many ways, the Museum of Contemporary Art is a must-see for anyone interested in the social impact of art, as it is a hub for deeply reflective exhibitions that often don’t get the mainstream coverage they deserve, such as current and upcoming exhibitions including Q POWER, which explores the interconnected aspects of queer literature, music, and art, and People of Interest, which explores gender imbalance and power inequality.
Listen to the sounds of Taiwan
While Mandopop is widely recognized as Taiwan’s most prominent musical export, exploring other local musicians can provide a unique journey that takes you directly into the island’s vibrant landscape. Check out our interviews with musicians who have a strong connection to Taiwan’s nature and culture:
cicada
To experience Taiwan through music, listen to cicadaTheir songs draw inspiration from the island's diverse landscapes, offering a melodic journey through Taiwan's stunning landscapes. Bright light across the sea, For example, the band's works are inspired by Taiwan's east coast and the Pacific Ocean. The band has also composed works inspired by the island's mountains, valleys and rivers.
Cicada's music is so emotional for a reason. “I visit different places in Taiwan to compose music for the band,” says Jesse, the band's pianist and songwriter. “If it's about nature, I have to go myself.” On their latest album, Search for water sourcesJessie embarked on a month-long trek through Taiwan’s majestic central mountains. Crossing rain-soaked trails, ridgelines, cirques, and ancient forests, Jessie retraced vivid visual cues to inspire her bandmates.
Formed in 2009, Cicada is a quartet consisting of pianist Jesse, violinist Kai, cellist Tao, and acoustic guitarist Ocean. Their compositions evoke the familiar, emotional quality of movie soundtracks, reminiscent of the music of Studio Ghibli. “Most of us live in a small part of a big city,” says Jesse. “A lot of us don’t go out to explore nature, so we feel intimidated. We want to make people fall in love with this land through our music.”
Their creativity resonates with the melodies of the island and their personal journeys of self-discovery, earning Cicada recognition as a nature-inspired band that reflects the essence of Taiwan’s spirit. You can listen to Cicada’s music on Spotify, Youtube, Apple MusicAnd Bandcamp.
Original music: Flute Pawan Nos
When most people think of mainstream Taiwanese music, names like Jay Chou and Mayday obviously dominate the discussion. But in the past few years, more and more people have started paying attention to what is arguably the most Taiwanese music of all: the many artists native to Taiwan.
Taiwan has 16 officially recognized indigenous tribes, each with its own unique language and musical traditions. Much of their culture has now seeped into mainstream Mandopop music—take Taiwanese Paiwan star ABAO (also known as Aljenljeng Tjaluvie), for example. She performs in Mandarin, Hokkien and Paiwan, and won Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2020 Golden Melody Awards (Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammys) with her album “Kinakaian” (Paiwan for “mother tongue”). It was a moment that cemented the rise of indigenous music into the mainstream in Taiwan.
ABAO isn’t the only indigenous artist making waves. Other emerging artists include ABAO-trained žž, who was nominated for Album of the Year in 2021 with her distinctive, laid-back sound. There’s also Outlet Drift, the avant-garde Amis rock band, who puts an authentic Amis-language sound into grunge and punk. Then there’s Eilidh Kawolo, who has won multiple GMA awards including Best New Artist with her blend of bossa, blues, electronica, and indigenous traditional music. She has gained a huge international following, playing at 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 flute. Traditionally played by men during rituals and ceremonies to communicate with spirits and ancestors, female musicians like Sunyao Tjoveljevelj embrace the soothing tones of the flute and have become a leading figure in reviving and promoting this ancient art form.
Sonyao’s exceptional talent has earned her multiple Golden Melody Award nominations, where she has excelled in categories such as Best Original Female Singer and Best Original Album. For more than 30 years, she has also dedicated herself to teaching others to play the flute, and has worked tirelessly to preserve her tribe’s rich musical heritage.
The distinctive sound of the flute, with its clear tones that evoke a deep sense of peace and connection with nature, is a symbol of the Paiwan tribe's cultural pride and resilience.
You can listen to Sauniaw's performance here:
Want to know more? Be sure to watch “Spirit of Taiwan“For an exclusive interview with these creative geniuses!”
