2024年工藝中心邁入七十週年，回顧與前瞻啟動「工藝遶境」計畫

透過重新爬梳工藝中心70年來的發展

以遶境活動巡遊全台

帶著工藝中心典藏之寶回到在地

考掘工藝中心典藏及在地工藝人與工藝物，以及所交織成的工藝故事

探究連結各地工藝的過去、現在與未來

臺灣第一代西畫家顏水龍先生1937年風塵僕僕地開始了長達五個多月的火車環島行進行工藝產業調查，環台旅程開啟了顏水龍先生逾六十年的工藝之旅，標誌著顏水龍先生由美術創作擴及工藝領域的轉向，身體力行的工藝踏查，為全台各地工藝發展留下珍貴的早期紀錄。顏水龍先生1954年7月促成設立的「南投縣工藝研究班」是工藝中心前身，1954-1959年前後共招生五屆，結業學員總計321名，全台各地薪傳技藝開枝散葉借鏡，模塑成就臺灣的工藝發展，第一代工藝家包括王清霜、黃塗山、李松林、李榮烈等人。

「工藝遶境」巡禮路線從工藝中心總部所在地南投出發，依序至臺北、彰化、臺東、臺南、新竹等六個地點，展覽核心主題以「大樹」串起工藝生態發展的脈絡，以工藝中心為源頭，經由「風」的傳遞，將工藝種子散播至臺灣各地，經過70年來的發展茁壯，透過遶境展開各地區的跨域「巡」禮。

工藝巡禮第一境【風起－南投】

南投擁有豐富的山林生態，竹、土、漆、纖維是上天的恩賜。由顏水龍大師在此建立臺灣工藝發展的起點後，孕育了百花盛開的工藝家們，他們從大自然動心起念中獲得靈感，就地取材創造生活中各種美好工藝，滋養我們生活所需與精神寄托，每一件作品都是風起雲湧的當代工藝代表。

工藝巡禮第二境【風尚－臺北】

臺北作為多元交流城市，展現傳統工藝與現代創意的融合。從陶瓷到金屬工藝，再到現代的數位藝術和設計，這座城市呈現豐富多彩的藝術與工藝風貌。以異材質合創、創新品牌、當代工藝裝置，具獨特風格設計感強的作品，展現臺北開放的創作精神。

工藝巡禮第三境【風采－彰化】

彰化縣擁有眾多歷史悠久的廟宇，每年農曆3月大甲媽祖遶境、進香活動，跨越台中、彰化、雲林及嘉義4縣市，宗教工藝因此成為最重要的核心價值，尤其以木雕工藝、粧佛工藝和錫工藝聞名。這些祭祀需求的工藝作品與彰化宗教儀式、文化活動密切相關，工藝家彼此也在技藝追求上切磋精進，展現祭祀文化的神動風釆。

Origin

As Taiwan's first-generation artist in Western-style painting, Master Shui-Long Yen, embarked on a train trip around Taiwan for more than five months to conduct field research in craft industry in 1937. This journey prompted Master Yen’s drift away from art creation to the field of crafts.

National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute was formerly known as Nantou County Craft Research Training Program founded by Shui-Long Yen in July 1954. It has since influenced many prominent first-generation craft artists in Taiwan and shaped the course of Taiwan's crafts history and industry.  

Exhibition Theme

Using the image of "big tree" to symbolize the evolution and development of craft ecology, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute is the origin of Taiwan's craft development. Through the “wind” the seeds of crafts have been spread all over the country, and taken root after 70 years. Today the craft has taken various forms and evolved into many diverse styles throughout the island. 

By launching the “Craft Pilgrimage,” we begin a cross-regional “tour” in six areas. The character of “tour” in Mandarin includes “walk” on the left-hand side, and “river” in the middle, which refers to as the boundary of respective regions and perfectly echoes that the “Craft Pilgrimage” is nurtured by mountains and rivers, natural environment and ecological areas. It shows that the unique appearance formed by local crafts and creative artworks bring us the value and inspiration of beautiful life, creating a productive cycle of "living crafts and crafts in living.”

First Stop of Craft Pilgrimage: [Where the wind began to blow - Nantou]

Nantou, mostly mountainous county covered by forests, is home to abundant natural resources and rich ecology. Bamboo, soil, lacquer, and fiber are all gifts from Mother Nature. Thanks to Master Yen’s hard work and vision in establishing the foundation as starting point in Nantou County for the development of Taiwanese crafts, where many craft artists have been cultivated and the craft industry continues to flourish. The craft artists get inspiration from nature and use local materials to create beautiful crafts, nourishing our daily life and enriching our spirit. Each artwork wonderfully represents contemporary craftsmanship with their special roles to play.

Second Stop of Craft Pilgrimage: [Embracing the trendy wave  - Taipei]

As a city of diverse exchanges, Taipei showcases a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity. From ceramics to metalwork, and extending to contemporary digital art and design, the city presents a vibrant and colorful landscape of arts and crafts. Combining different materials, innovative brands, and modern craft installations, works with unique styles reflect the city's open and creative spirit.

Third Stop of the Craft Pilgrimage: [Graceful and Dignified - Changhua]

Changhua County once had the highest density of Mazu temples in the country. Therefore, religious craftsmanship has become a core value, particularly in wood carving, Buddha makeup craftsmanship and tinwork. These sacrificial crafts are closely tied to the religious ceremonies and cultural activities of Changhua, reflecting the people's respect for and preservation of traditional beliefs. The skillful works created by local craftsmen for religious purposes allow people to experience the spiritual elevation that exists between religion and craftsmanship, showcasing the divine power of sacrificial culture.