治時代的優良傳統與美術成就，在蔡繼琨（時任省交響樂團團長）、范壽康（時任長官公署教育處長）、江鐵等先生的催生與支持下，全權委由前輩畫家楊三郎（時年四十）、郭雪湖（時年卅八）兩先生負責籌劃，第一屆「臺灣省全省美術展覽會」（簡稱「省展」）於1946年12月22日在台北市中山堂開幕。16位評審委員平均年齡39歲，以旭日東升之姿，引領台灣美術邁向充滿希望的未來。
省展開辦之後，由於採行公募制，且參與資格不受限制，逐漸普及成為大眾參與的全島性平民美術大賽。規模也從第一屆的國畫、西畫和雕塑三部逐年擴充到第今天的十一部（國畫、膠彩、書法、篆刻、油畫、水彩、版畫、視覺設計、工藝、雕塑、攝影），其多元化也代表了美術的普及化，是臺灣官展的一大特色。參賽者從入選、優選、特選、免審查一路往上，直到受聘為評審員，有如爬階梯般，驅動創作者不斷地追求自我提昇。而這套競賽制度，也被各地方美展所參考仿效。六十年來，參展的藝術家累積達24,140人次，對台灣美術風氣的帶動、美術教育的推廣、藝術人才的培養等方面，均發揮了不可忽視的作用。
六十年過去了，漫長的歲月中，一年一賽的省展，彷彿一幅不斷增長的歷史長卷，繽紛呈現著台灣本土美術的發展脈絡，足以與百年來臺灣全體命運相映照。回首前十屆獲獎的參賽者，如今都已超過八十高齡，且部分已經不在；如陳春德、張錫卿、陳毓卿、呂基正、許深洲、葉大城、李秋禾、吳棟材、黃鷗波、溫長順、王水金、蕭如松、林天瑞、楊英風、張啟華、李澤藩、金潤作等；猶健在者，均被尊為畫壇德高望眾的前輩，如陳慧坤、鄭世璠、張義雄、王水河、廖德政、許武勇、蔡草如、劉國東、陳英傑、林顯模、李克全、詹浮雲等，也是台灣戰後十數年間推展美術的主力。
第六十屆省展，例行的競賽作業已順利完成，在2,028件送件者中脫穎而出的408件得獎作品，即將於五月起在台中、高雄、台北三地巡迴展出。另為回顧六十年來紛陳的歷史軌跡，主辦單位也將專案訪視美術界前輩耆老，整理從創賽以來的文獻圖片史料手跡，同時舉行省展相關議題的學術研討會，藉由新世紀藝術界之角度，重新嚴肅審視這項全島性美術展覽的歷史價值。
自民國88年精省後，臺灣省政府文教組在有限的經費與人力下接下省展這一棒，七屆以來（54∼60屆），同仁們兢兢業業，唯恐有負眾望。隨著政府組織改造的腳步，省府即將回歸地方制度法，省展也必須面對新的轉型。期盼這項影響近代臺灣美術發展最深遠的競賽活動能因勢利導、推陳出新，也藉向六十年來曾經參與省展的所有藝術家前輩朋友們致敬。
Sixty Years of Elegance and Talent
-The Creation and Change of Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition
In 1927 when Japanese ruled Taiwan, they imitated the Tokyo Empire Fine Art School Exhibition to host an island-wide official art show called “Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition” (1927 – 1936). The exhibition was renamed to “Taiwan Government Fine Art Exhibition” (1938 – 1943) at the 10th show. After restoration from Japanese colonization and for preserving the artistic achievement during the Japanese colonization era, the Taiwan artistic world was under the support and encouragement of Mr. Tsai Chikuen (the commander of Province Symphony Orchestra at that time), Mr. Fan Shoukang (the Education Office chief of Senior Official Government Office) and Mr. Jiang Tie to hold the first “Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition ” at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall on December 22, 1946. The Exhibition was planed by senior fine art artists Mr. Yang Sanlang (at the age of 40) and Mr. Guo Shiuehu (at the age of 38). At the average age of 39, 16 members of the committee led Taiwan fine art like the rising sun and to move into a great future with hope.
After the first fine art exhibition, because the participation was by solicitation and the qualification was not limited, the exhibition gradually became a popularization and island-wide art contest. The contents of fine art exhibition were expanded year by year from 3 items: Chinese painting, Western painting and sculpture at the first art show to today’s 11 items, such as Ink painting,Glue painting, Calligraphy, Seal Engraving, Watercolor,oil painting, print,Visual Design, Crafts, Sculpture and photography. The diversity represents the popularized fine art and a distinguishing feature of the official Taiwan fine art exhibition. Step by step, from being selected, awarded by optimal and the preference, exempted from examination and till being asked to be in the committee, participants are driven to create and continuously pursue self-promotion. The contest system has been copied by various local art shows. For sixty years, the participated fine art artists reach 24,140 people and the contest system has played an important role to drive the Taiwan fine art atmosphere, educational promotion, and artistic talent fostering.
Sixty years have passed by. The yearly Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition is like a historical long volume to continuously grow, and colorfully presents the fine art development of native Taiwan. It sufficiently and mutually shins upon all destinies of hundred years old Taiwan. To recall the awarded participants in the first ten exhibitions, they all are over 80-years-old now and most of them have passed away: such as Chen Chuende, Chang Shiching, Chen Yuching, Liu Jijeng, Hsu Shenjou, Ye Dacheng, Lee Chiouhe, Wu Dongtsai, Huang Opo, Wen Chungshuen, Wong Shueijin, Shiau Jutsung, Lin Tenruei, Yang Yingfong, Chang Chihua, Lee Tzefan, and Jin Ruentzuo…etc. For still living and well, the honored senior fine art artists are Chen Hueiguen, Jeng Shipan, Chang Yihshiung, Wong Shueihe, Liao Dejeng, Hsu Wuyung, Tsai Tsauju, Liu Guodong, Chen Yingchieh, Lin Shianmo, Lee Kechiuan, and Chan Fuyun…etc. They are also the main force of Taiwan fine art over the past ten several years after postwar.
The routine contest work of 60th Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition has been smoothly completed. There are 408 awarded art works from 2,028 participants and the awarded art works will start an exhibition tour to Taichung, Kaohsiung and Taipei in May. In addition, for reviews of the numerous historical paths over the past 60 years, the sponsor unit will interview the senior fine art artists, collect all the historical literature pictures, data and original handwritings, host an exhibition-related seminar, and seriously reexamine the historical value of this island-wide fine art display based on the viewpoint of the new century artistic world.
Since the provincial downsizing in 1999 and under the limited budget and manpower, the Culture and Education Group of Taiwan Province Government took the responsibility of the art show. From session 54 to 60, the colleagues have been cautious and conscientious to work on the art shows. By following the footsteps of transforming governmental organization, the provincial government will return to the local government system law soon and the province-wide fine art exhibition also must face a new reforming. Hopefully, the contest activity, deeply influencing the development of contemporary art in Taiwan, can adroitly give guidance according to circumstances and weed through the old to bring forth the new. Also, by the fine art exhibition, express the highest respect to all fine art artists who ever participated in the Taiwan Provincial Fine Art Exhibition over the past 60 years. |
