Sculpture is one of the major forms of visual art—an artistic practice in which creators use specific materials and techniques to shape three-dimensional forms. Sculptural methods range from carving, cutting, chiseling, modeling, molding, assembling, welding, hammering, weaving, plating, to burning and more, resulting in works that can be viewed from all directions in space. For this exhibition, materials serve as the primary basis of classification, dividing modern sculpture into two broad categories: traditional materials and innovative materials. Artists working with traditional materials create three-dimensional forms that can be seen, touched, and experienced through stillness or movement. In contrast, artists using innovative materials often incorporate new media—including sound, light, and electronic elements—producing sculptures that expand into four- and five-dimensional expressions, such as sound-and-light installations or kinetic works.

The curatorial approach focuses on showcasing modern and contemporary sculpture. By categorizing works according to the traditional and innovative materials commonly used today, the exhibition highlights a selection of representative pieces that best illustrate the diversity of sculptural practice. Through this structure, visitors can gain a broader understanding of the many dimensions of sculpture. Beyond materials, the list of participating artists—spanning different generations—also offers an engaging contrast. The section dedicated to traditional materials features works by: Tsai Ken, Wang Keping, Paul Rondiffsky, Fang Yen-chieh, Te Mo, Pu Tien-sheng, Xiang Jing, Yang Mao-lin, Abate Fello, Pu Hao-ming, and Robert Indiana—14 works by 11 artists from Taiwan and abroad.

Artwork Descriptions | Works in Traditional Materials

Tsai Ken — Outside the Window

Drawing inspiration from the fragments of everyday life, Tsai Ken infuses Outside the Window with symbolic elements rendered in a surrealist manner. These symbolic forms, layered within the scene, imbue the work with a sense of primal energy and raw expressive power.

Pu Tien-Seng — Light of Spring

Pu’s sculpture was his pursuit of the beauty of human bodies. This important work shows the elegance of female body and was selected in the First Japan Exhibition reorganized from Japan Empire Exhibition.

Artwork Descriptions | Works in Innovative Materials

César — Le Pouce (The Thumb)

This enlarged version of The Thumb, crafted in stunning Baccarat crystal, transforms a familiar gesture into an extraordinary visual experience. The transparency of the crystal allows viewers to marvel at the distortions and optical effects created by its exaggerated scale.

Takashi Murakami — Miss Ko²

Influenced by Japanese anime and manga, Murakami explores otaku subculture and its aesthetics, creating a new wave of contemporary pop iconography. His character sculptures—such as Miss Ko²—stand as vivid expressions of postmodern culture, blending playfulness with cultural commentary.