The 11th Annual “Taiwan: A World of Orchids” Exhibition was grandly held at the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) in New York from August 9 to 11. This exhibition was co-hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO-NY) and the Queens Botanical Garden. On the eve of the exhibition, a special press conference was held on August 8, where various community organizations were invited to experience the cultural event ahead of time. The event also attracted numerous political figures, including Ambassador James K.J. Lee, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and his wife; U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng; New York State Assembly Members Ron Kim and Steven Raga; New York City Council Member Sandra Ung; and John Chen, Director of the Taiwan Center. Their presence added significant highlights to the event, showcasing the widespread support and attention this exhibition has garnered from various sectors.
The three-day orchid exhibition, themed around Taiwan’s tricolor palette (Taiwan Blue, Taiwan Gold, and Taiwan Red), offered a comprehensive showcase of Taiwan’s cultural history, natural ecology, and folk traditions. The event was not just a visual feast of orchids but also a multi-sensory cultural experience that captivated a broad audience from the New York Community. Alongside the display of hundreds of blooming orchids, the exhibition featured a rich array of Taiwanese art and cultural experiences. Four artists were specially invited to participate, including Stacey Ting-Yun Chen, Kay Yi-Chun Lin, and Hsiao-Chien Liu from Taiwan, as well as Emily Yuwei Chen from Hong Kong. Their works seamlessly combined the beauty of orchids with artistic expression, leaving visitors in awe.
Photo Credit: Yucheng You
Photo Credit: Naomi Chan
At the entrance of the exhibition, Kay Yi-Chun Lin’s ceramic artwork “Dance of Light and Bloom” and Hsiao-Chien Liu’s traditional gilding piece “Welcome Spring with Orchids” are particularly striking. Lin’s work draws inspiration from Taiwan’s abundant orchids, including Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, and Cattleya, to create a variety of home decor items such as vases, lamps, teapots, and jewelry boxes. Through the use of fluid yet bold lines, she captures the diverse meanings of life that these orchids symbolize. When displayed alongside the actual orchids, her pieces resonate with a unique charm. Her work also embodies the elegance and resilience of women, balancing grace with strength and passion with restraint, and thus releases a distinct blend of beauty and power. Liu’s work skillfully incorporates the festive colors of gold, silver, and red, blending them with the format of traditional couplets to vividly showcase the beauty of Taiwanese orchids and their unique cultural significance. The strategic placement of these two works not only enhances the visual impact of the exhibition but also serves as an engaging introduction for visitors, offering them a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Photo Credit: Wei Du
Stacey Ting-Yun Chen, a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Chicago, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Design from Pratt Institute and a Master’s degree in Design Innovation from Northwestern University. Chen is highly skilled in drawing, illustration, digital art, graphic design, and product design, seamlessly blending the essence of industrial design with contemporary art in her work. She has received numerous scholarships and accolades, including second place in the Art and Design Scholarship Competition, the Reggie Behl Painting Award, and a nomination for the Rowena Reed Kostellow Fund Award.
Chen shared, “A few months ago, the organizers reached out to me, inviting me to create a special series for this event. Although my August schedule was already packed, I felt this event was incredibly meaningful—a unique opportunity to showcase Taiwan to the world and allow more Americans to appreciate Taiwan’s cultural and artistic heritage.” On August 8, Chen flew from Chicago to New York, bringing her “Formosa through the Palette” series to participate in the exhibition’s press conference.
The “Formosa through the Palette” series is a profound body of work, creatively incorporating the official colors of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to symbolize peace and prosperity while paying tribute to Taiwan’s diplomatic achievements on the global stage. This series includes three digital prints, each focusing on iconic Taiwanese landscapes, vividly portraying the diverse facets of the island nation. The first piece captures the bustling atmosphere of Jiufen Old Street, with traditional red lanterns illuminating the lively alleys, effectively conveying Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant street life. The second piece highlights the Alishan Forest Railway, where the train winds through ancient, verdant forests, symbolizing both Taiwan’s magnificent natural beauty and the continuity of its history. The third piece features Taipei 101, the towering skyscraper that stands as a symbol of Taiwan’s economic prosperity and technological advancement, reflecting the nation’s outstanding achievements in modernization. Chen expressed, “Through these works, I hope to inspire viewers to recognize the unique charm of Taiwan—not only to showcase its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty but also to ignite curiosity about Taiwan’s distinct identity.” Her masterful use of color and composition brings to life the vibrancy and spirit of Taiwan, allowing viewers to deeply connect with the island’s multifaceted allure.
Photo Credit: Tzu-Ying (Naomi) Chan
Another standout piece in the exhibition comes from Hong Kong artist Emily Yuwei Chen. Specializing in fine arts, particularly in painting and jewelry design, Chen has achieved remarkable success in her field. She graduated from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, where she earned a double major in Painting and Jewelry & Metalsmithing, uniquely blending two-dimensional and three-dimensional artistic concepts. Her work has been recognized with creative arts grants and has stood out in prestigious exhibitions such as New York Jewelry Week, NYC Design Week with Brooklyn Metal Works, and the Jamaica Arts Center. Notably, her work will soon be featured in a 3D exhibition at Helsinki Fashion Week.
For this exhibition, Chen was specially invited to create the piece “An Average Comet,” which captivates with its unique use of color and profound cultural significance. Chen skillfully incorporated the representative colors of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs into the painting, crafting a work that is both visually striking and rich in cultural meaning. The piece predominantly features three colors: emerald green, festive red, and gold. Emerald green symbolizes Taiwan’s lush landscapes and vitality; festive red represents celebration and passion; and gold conveys prosperity and warmth. The interplay of these colors not only creates a vivid and dynamic visual effect but also deeply reflects Taiwan’s unique cultural identity and historical legacy. Explaining her creative process, Chen remarked, “The choice of these colors was not just for visual appeal, but also as a tribute to Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage.” In addition to the masterful use of color, Chen also incorporated elements of Taiwanese folklore into her work. A ladybug, symbolizing dreams and aspirations, serves as a focal point in the painting, representing the fusion of tradition and modernity and illustrating Chen’s innovative interpretation of Taiwanese cultural traditions. The curatorial team invited Chen to create this piece with the intention of showcasing the diverse interpretations and unique definitions of Taiwan’s orchid beauty through the eyes of artists from different countries, offering viewers a distinct experience of cultural fusion.
Beyond showcasing the exquisite beauty of Taiwanese orchids, this year’s exhibition also carefully curated a series of vibrant cultural and artistic activities, providing a comprehensive sensory experience for visitors. Highlights of the event included a live calligraphy demonstration by renowned calligrapher David Zheng, who mesmerized the audience with the charm of traditional Chinese calligraphy, and a lecture on “Orchid Basics” by Chris Satch, President of the Manhattan Orchid Society. Additionally, a workshop led by creative culinary artist Belian Fan combined art with gastronomy, offering a perfect blend of cultural experiences.
This fusion of diverse cultural activities not only demonstrated the inclusivity and diversity of Taiwanese culture but also built a bridge for cultural exchange among audiences of different backgrounds. Through these events, the organizers successfully combined Taiwan’s traditional culture with modern innovation, presenting New York audiences with a cultural experience that was both profound and engaging. This not only enhanced the appeal of the exhibition but also effectively promoted the spread and exchange of Taiwanese culture on the international stage, further solidifying Taiwan’s image as an island of cultural creativity.
