Chiu Wei-Hsiang's solo exhibition lâi-chē-che is on view at Fotoaura Institute of Photography, Tainan.
lâi-chē-che
Exhibition period: 28 June - 3 August 2025
Venue: Fotoaura Institute of Photography, Tainan
"I was born in Dayuan, Taoyuan—a land full of warmth and human connection, which is also the root of my life. I come from a big family, where everyone is close and deeply affectionate with one another. My grandfather was the neighborhood chief, and neighbors often came to our house to drink tea and chat. The courtyard was always filled with laughter and warmth. This sense of community surrounded me from childhood, and left a lasting imprint on my heart.
My roots are not only from my family but also from the land that nurtured me. My father and several uncles worked in the marketplace, which was not only our family’s livelihood but also a place full of life and stories. The bustling, lively market made me feel the authenticity and warmth of life from a young age. The farmland next to our house was my childhood playground. Endless rice fields, blue skies, and all the creatures in the fields accompanied me as I grew up. I played in the mud, dug ditches to catch shrimp, chased frogs, and ran after cicadas and beetles shimmering in the sunlight. At dawn, the crowing of roosters was my alarm clock as they strolled leisurely in the yard, while our loyal dogs guarded the house and ran with me through the fields. These simple daily moments became the most precious memories of my life.
The old home in Dayuan is my root, my belonging. It tells me that no matter how much time passes and circumstances change, this root will always remain in my heart, guiding me to never lose direction and to always remember my original intention.
Painting, for me, is a response to my old home. It is not just creation but a dialogue between me and the land. Every painting carries my memories and emotions—the green of the rice fields, the serenity of the blue sky, and the warmth of everyday life. With my brush, I recall those distant days: the childhood of chasing butterflies in the dirt, the joy of catching shrimp in ditches, and the daily companionship of chickens and dogs in the yard. These vivid fragments are like heirlooms my old home left me, accompanying me through every creation.
I want to use the nourishment I gained from my old home to create works that resonate with people’s hearts. Wherever I go, the simplicity and sincerity of that land remain my source of inspiration. It reminds me that art does not need to chase complexity or extravagance but should return to the most original emotions—painting the truest world and the purest self. On the canvas, I have found my roots." — Chiu Wei-Hsiang
Excerpt translated from original text in Chinese. Courtesy of the artist and Fotoaura Institute of Photography.
Images: Chiu Wei-Hsiang, lâi-chē-chē, Fotoaura Institute of Photography, 2025 (installation view). Courtesy the artist and Fotoaura Institute of Photography.
Learn more --
Chiu Wei-Hsiang, lâi-chē-che, 2025 | Fotoaura Institute of Photography, Tainan
Exhibition film --
Exhibition film, Chiu Wei-Hsiang, lâi-chē-che, 2025
