The “2025 Sun Yat-sen Youth Art Award Exhibition,” organized by the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall under the Ministry of Culture, is grandly held from November 1 to 27 at the 2nd Floor Exhibition Hall of the Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs. A total of 52 award-winning works are on display, including 13 ink paintings, 26 calligraphy works, and 13 oil paintings. The award ceremony and opening took place this morning (Nov. 2), attended by distinguished guests such as Director Chien Su-Chen of the Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs, Director Sun Yi-Hua of the Department of Fine Arts, National Taiwan Normal University, President Tsai Ming-Tsan of Calligraphy Education Monthly, Dean Yang Hsu-Tang of the Academy of Chinese Culture and Arts, Honorary Professor Su Hsien-Fa of NTNU, Professor Lin Hsueh-Ching of Taipei City University, Chairperson Chen Ching-Ying and Secretary-General Yu Wen-Mei of the Taiwan Gallery Association.
Director Wang Lan-Sheng of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall expressed his deep gratitude to the Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs for providing the exhibition venue during the Hall’s renovation. He stated that since its founding, the Sun Yat-sen Youth Art Award has become a significant brand and platform for emerging artists through its three competition categories—ink painting, calligraphy, and oil painting. Long-term collaboration with the Taiwan Gallery Association has allowed top winners to participate in professional markets such as Art Taipei, further integrating young artists into the art industry. He encouraged both sides to continue working together to advance Taiwan’s artistic development.
Director Chien Su-Chen expressed her honor in collaborating with the Memorial Hall to support young artists and provide exhibition spaces. She commended the Award for establishing an influential platform over the past decade that embodies the creative and pioneering spirit of the younger generation. She hopes art will continue to express cultural depth and contemporary energy, pledging continued cooperation with the Hall to provide even better exhibition services and support.
Professor Su Hsien-Fa, representing the oil painting jury, shared that he was the first-prize winner in oil painting at the inaugural National Youth Painting and Calligraphy Competition in 1973, making this event especially meaningful to him. He thanked Director Wang for insisting on holding the event during the renovation and for collaborating with the Gallery Association to give young artists access to professional platforms such as Art Taipei. He noted the fierce competition in the oil painting category this year, where works ranged from realism to surrealism, all demonstrating strong creativity and individuality. He encouraged young artists to continue exploring themes and styles, enriching Taiwan’s artistic vitality.
Mr. Tsai Ming-Tsan, representing the calligraphy jury, observed that Taiwan’s calligraphy has developed a distinct “Taiwanese style,” blending tradition and modernity. From the Award’s past submissions, a trend of innovation is evident. He emphasized that contemporary calligraphy should go beyond classical imitation by integrating modern visual and structural concepts, reflecting both the spirit of the times and individual thought. He noted that modern calligraphy is evolving toward visualization, abstraction, and form, often merging with installation, video, and performance art, and encouraged young artists to innovate while mastering the five major calligraphic styles.
Director Sun Yi-Hua, representing the ink painting jury, remarked that the tenth anniversary of the Sun Yat-sen Youth Art Award marks a decade of thriving youth art in Taiwan. Many winners in both oil painting and ink painting categories are NTNU alumni, demonstrating the success of art education. She thanked the Memorial Hall and Gallery Association for supporting young artists to step onto international stages and praised this year’s works for their sensitivity, sincerity, and contemporary insight.
Now in its 10th year, the Sun Yat-sen Youth Art Award encourages artists aged 20 to 45 to develop their creativity. The competition consists of three categories—ink painting, calligraphy, and oil painting—and after preliminary and secondary reviews, a total of 39 winners were selected (13 in each category).
- First Prize (Sun Yat-sen Award): Ko Lin-Yen (Ink Painting), Chien Hung-Ming (Calligraphy), and Lin Cheng-Che (Oil Painting), each receiving NT$300,000 and a trophy, as well as the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Memorial Hall without prior review.
- Second and Third Prizes: One winner per category, receiving NT$100,000 and NT$50,000, respectively.
- Honorable Mentions: Five winners per category, each receiving NT$10,000.
- Selected Works: Fifteen winners, each receiving NT$5,000.
The total prize pool amounts to NT$1,575,000.
The Sun Yat-sen Youth Art Award, a major government-organized art competition, not only exhibits winning works at the Memorial Hall but will also host a traveling exhibition in 2026 at the Matsu Folklore Museum and National Changhua Living Art Center. In addition, awardees will participate in the 2026 Art Expo in collaboration with the Taiwan Gallery Association. Future winners will continue to enjoy the privilege of applying for solo exhibitions at the Memorial Hall without prior review, encouraging young artists to pursue continuous creation.
For more information, please visit the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall official website: www.yatsen.gov.tw, or contact the service desk at (02) 2758-8008 ext. 546.
Press Contact:
Liang Pei-Chun, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Tel: (02) 2758-8008 #505 / 0937-076981
Project Officer:
Huang Tsung-Wei, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Tel: (02) 2758-8008 #553