THE APT10 FOCUS EXHIBITION 
“INDIGENOUS CONTEMPORARY ART FROM TAIWAN”
ANNOUNCES CURATORIAL THEME AND PARTICIPATING LIST

“Between Earth and Sky”
Reflections on the future development of humanity and nature
from the cosmology of indigenous mythos.

The “Between Earth and Sky - Indigenous Contemporary Art From Taiwan” is one of the focal programs at the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10). The organizers, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, cooperated with Taiwan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples and Ministry of Culture to organize an exhibition of art by indigenous artists from Taiwan, the exhibition is curated and executed by Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center. The program’s co-curators artist Etan Pavavalung and independent curator Manray Hsu came up with the exhibition theme “Between Earth and Sky” which represents an attempt to reexamine the history of indigenous peoples through the cosmology of their own mythos and thereby reflect on the possible future relationship between humankind, land and other species.

 “Between Earth and Sky” shows works by eight modern indigenous artists from Taiwan, including Anli Genu, Yuma Taru, Ruby Swana, Etan Pavavalung, Aluaiy Pulidan, Masiswagger Zingrur, Fangas Nayaw and Dondon Hounwn. Of these, Yuma Taru and Ruby Swana were commissioned to produce pieces by the organizers of the Asia Pacific Triennial, while the other participating artists displayed new works.

The APT10 is the flagship exhibition for the 30th anniversary of the Asia Pacific Triennial of 

Contemporary Art and includes 69 projects, including new and recent works by more than 100 emerging and established artists (and art groups) from over 30 countries. The Triennial’s Taiwan indigenous peoples’ exhibition is the first important international academic exhibition to bring together Taiwan’s indigenous modern artists.

Commissioned Works by Yuma Taru and Ruby Swana

The work by Atayal artist Yuma Taru focuses on Atayal weaving culture. Although the Atayal have no written script, their culture has been passed down from generation to generation through folk songs, weaving and word of mouth. The commissioned piece for this exhibition discusses modern messages derived from weaving, language, culture, science and human life. The work by Amis artist Ruby Swana combines natural and artificial elements, reinterpreting the Goddess Tiyamacan from ancient tribal legend through a mixed media piece. Her creative approach involves focusing on perceptive connections to the natural environment and the artist’s inner world in a completely natural state, as the work seeks to connect to the roots of the ancient indigenous soul.

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The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10)  
Exhibition Dates: 4 December 2021 to 25 April 2022
Venue: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art
Curators: Reuben Keehan and Zara Stanhope (initial curatorial research) 

APT10 Focus Exhibition: 
Between Earth and Sky - Indigenous Contemporary Art from Taiwan
Curators: Etan Pavavalung and Manray Hsu
Participating Artists: 
Anli Genu 
Yuma Taru
Ruby Swana
Etan Pavavalung 
Aluaiy Pulidan
Masiswagger Zingrur
Fangas Nayaw
Dondon Hounwn