Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che unveils plaque for late artist Chen Hui-tung's former residence

In the historic district of Tainan City's West Central District, a culturally significant ceremony was held today. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che personally unveiled and presented an official commemorative plaque for the "Former Residence of Chen Hui-dong." Located in an ancient alley of the prefectural city, this old residence was once the home and creative sanctuary of Chen Hui-dong, a giant of modern Taiwanese art. The unveiling ceremony not only affirms Mr. Chen's artistic achievements but also serves as a profound review and representation of Tainan's cultural heritage. Held in front of the historic monument, the event symbolized the city's ongoing respect for both tradition and innovation amidst changing times.

Chen Hui-dong (1905–1991), hailed as the "father of modern Taiwanese art," produced works spanning oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, and other fields. Centering on the theme of "nature and humanity," he integrated Eastern and Western aesthetics to create a distinctive personal style. Having studied in Japan during his early years before returning to Taiwan to dedicate himself to education and artistic creation, he successively served as a professor at the Tainan Junior College of Arts (now Tainan National University of the Arts) and won numerous awards at international exhibitions. Affectionately known as the "cultural laborer," Mr. Chen long nurtured countless emerging talents in Taiwan through both practical application and education, playing a pivotal role in the development and internationalization of Taiwanese art. His former residence was not only a venue for personal creation but also a sacred space where numerous students and artists gathered for exchange and inspiration.

Situated near the "Anping Fort" in Tainan City's West Central District, the former residence of Chen Hui-dong features an architectural style that blends traditional southern Fujian residential elements with European colonial features. The interior preserves the study, studio, and exhibition hall from that era. This old house has witnessed not only Mr. Chen's creative career but also Tainan's cultural transition from the colonial period to modernization. The murals and sculptures inside the residence still retain Mr. Chen's original brushstrokes and emotions from back then, making them indispensable physical materials for the study of modern Taiwanese art. For local residents, the former residence is more than just a historical ruin; it is a symbol of cultural pride, reminding people of the cultural roots and historical continuity of the ancient capital.

At the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Huang Wei-che stated, "Mr. Chen Hui-dong not only left profound footprints in the art world, but through his long-term dedication, he also became the cornerstone of Tainan's cultural development. Today, by hanging this plaque for him, we are paying respect to this history and drawing inspiration for future cultural development." The commemorative plaque is themed "Cultural Laborer," symbolizing Mr. Chen's long-term dedication to the fields of art and education. This initiative not only breathes new life into Chen Hui-dong's home but also provides substantial policy support for the preservation of Tainan's cultural assets. The city government stated that it will further list the former residence under cultural asset protection registries and plan related exhibitions and educational activities, allowing more people to step into this history.

For Tainan's community and tourism industry, this unveiling carries multiple meanings. First, it adds a new highlight to Tainan's cultural tourism routes, attracting visitors interested in art and history. Second, the adaptive reuse of the former residence will provide on-site teaching resources for local art education, encouraging young students to step into the intersection of tradition and innovation to inspire creativity and critical thinking. Finally, through the preservation and promotion of Chen Hui-dong's former residence, Tainan can showcase its profound cultural heritage on both national and international stages, elevate its city brand image, and further solidify its status as a "cultural stronghold."

Looking ahead, the Tainan City Government has planned to establish a multifunctional cultural space around the former residence and cooperate with the Tainan National University of the Arts to host touring exhibitions and workshops featuring Chen Hui-dong's works, allowing more people to personally experience the creative environment of this artistic giant. In addition, the city government will collaborate with local communities to develop cultural tourism products themed around the "cultural laborer," combining Tainan's historical stories with modern creativity to generate new cultural and economic value. This series of measures is not only a commemoration of Chen Hui-dong's personal achievements but also a long-term plan for Tainan's overall cultural development, closely linking history with the future and ensuring that the cultural memories of the ancient capital are sustained and reinvented.