The "Taitung International Youth Craft and Design Workshop and Competition," organized by the Taitung County Government, has successfully concluded its ninth edition. In this year's event, Yu-Hsi Liu and Hung-Ling Chen, students of the Department of Design at Taiwan Tech, were awarded the esteemed Gold Prize. Their woodworking creation titled "Dialogue with Life," predominantly crafted from driftwood and reinforced steel bars, earned them prestigious recognition along with a prize of NT$80,000.

Students from the Department of Design at Taiwan Tech, Yu-Hsi Liu (second from the left) and Hung-Ling Chen (third from the left), were awarded the Gold Prize for their work "Dialogue with Life." The Secretary-General of the Taitung County Government, Hsieh-Chang Lu (first from the left), personally presented them with a monetary prize of NT$80,000.

Hung-Ling Chen shared that in her usual design work, she primarily engages in modeling and 3D printing, with less exposure to woodworking. Her familiarity with wood was limited, so the initial sketches were more idealized, overlooking wood's weight-related challenges. With the guidance of their mentors, they factored in both weight and visual effects, and after continuous discussions and adjustments, they successfully completed the project.

Yu-Hsi Liu and Hung-Ling Chen were based at the "Mountain and Field Craftsman" workshop in Taitung's Jhihben area, where they collaborated with woodworking masters to breathe new life into driftwood. Yu-Hsi Liu explained that every day during the workshop, they engaged in conversations with artisans, designers, themselves, and even nature. "We incorporated bits of our lives in Taitung into our work and, through these dialogues, got to know Taitung better," she said. "Dialogue with Life" utilizes natural light to accentuate the shapes and textures of the wood, allowing light to filter through the gaps, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The piece employs a gradient color effect and cleverly placed elements to convey the layered landscapes of Taitung's mountains and sea. The distinct play of light and shadow, coupled with intricate details, captured the favor of the judges, resulting in the recognition of "Dialogue with Life."

The collaborative creation "Dialogue with Life," crafted by participants Yu-Hsi Liu and Hung-Ling Chen at the "Mountain and Field Craftsman" workshop, employs driftwood and reinforced steel bars as mediums to evoke the geographical uniqueness of Taitung.

Hung-Ling Chen expressed that a keen desire for learning and experiential growth drove her participation in the craft workshop. During the stages of sketching and conceptualization, she even took her sketches to the seaside for contemplative walks and ventured to the hills to gaze at the stars. This immersive engagement allowed her to appreciate Taitung's natural landscapes and way of life. She firmly believes that design is intertwined with everyday existence, asserting, "In times of creative block, relaxing and immersing oneself in life, finding joy in the mundane, naturally stimulates a wealth of ideas." The unexpected recognition of the Gold Prize serves as a rewarding outcome of their journey. Chen also expressed gratitude for the patient guidance of the workshop's instructors, who imparted diverse crafting techniques, bridging their skill gaps and leaving them with indelible memories.

Hung-Ling Chen adeptly utilized machinery to cut the reinforced steel bars.

Yu-Hsi Liu, in a generous sharing of her creative insights, underscored that the emotions experienced during the act of creation inevitably manifest within the artwork. She emphasized that during moments of creative drought, the strategy involves "listening, observing, and watching attentively." By unearthing the often-overlooked facets of everyday life, one can effectively transform mundane occurrences into wellsprings of inspiration. Moreover, she extended guidance to junior peers, encouraging them to proactively participate in discussions, articulate their viewpoints, and boldly venture into experimentation. She asserted that such participation facilitates the clarification of one's own artistic ideas and serves as a source of inspiration through the cross-pollination of perspectives.

The entire creative process of the artwork, from conceptualization and design to woodworking execution, was undertaken by Hung-Ling Chen and Yu-Hsi Liu.

The International Youth Craft and Design Workshop is open to young talents both domestically and internationally. This year, it attracted a total of 126 participants from various regions, including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and different cities and counties across Taiwan. From this pool, 25 outstanding candidates were meticulously selected. Spanning an 11-day duration, the workshop assigned each participant to one of five different studios in Taitung, where they received immersive instruction from adept artisans in crafts encompassing materials like bamboo, horn, woodwork, and glass beads. In the culmination of this educational experience, participants creatively synthesized their newly acquired skills, producing pieces that seamlessly integrated the techniques acquired from their respective studios.

With a vision to cultivate a profound understanding of Taitung, The Taitung County Government envisions this initiative as an avenue for young minds to intimately acquaint themselves with the locale through immersive engagement with its mountains, seas, and through cross-disciplinary cultural lectures. Under the guidance of seasoned craftspersons, these participants not only refine their craft techniques but also channel their creative energies. The program also includes mentorship from renowned designers who have garnered international acclaim, such as Chen-Xu Liu, Yu-Run Zhou, and Yu-Fen Luo. These designers offer valuable guidance and optimization suggestions for the participants' design drafts, enabling them to broaden their horizons and consolidate their creative capabilities.

Winners of the Taitung International Youth Craft and Design Workshop and Competition posing for a group photo. (Provided by Taitung County Government)