The National Museum of Art of China and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Indigenous Art in the United States are collaborating on "Breaking Ground: Contemporary Indigenous Art and Activism in Taiwan," opening a new chapter in the dialogue between Taiwanese and American Indigenous contemporary art.

Group photo of Chen Kuiyi, Director of the National Museum of Fine Arts (front row, third from right), curator Nagao Buchun (front row, second from right), curator Lai Junjie (back row, third from left), and participating artists.

Taipei — The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is collaborating for the first time with the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts ( IAIA MoCNA ) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to co-organize the exhibition "Breaking Ground: Art and Activism in Indigenous Taiwan ," which will officially open on August 15 .

The National Museum of Fine Arts held a pre-departure press conference today ( 30th ), chaired by the Director of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Chen Caiyi, and attended by the curators of this exhibition, Nagao Butun and Lai Junjie; participating artists Ali Istanda , Aluaiy Kaumakan , Chang En-Man , Idas Losin , Iyo Kacaw , Mayaw Biho , Rngrang Hungul , etc. were all present, and the curator of the IAIA MoCNA, Dr. Manuela Well-Off- Man , joined the event with a pre-recorded speech.

Chen Caiyi, Director of the National Museum of Art, expressed her gratitude to the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Indigenous Art for its collaboration and exhibition planning, the Ministry of Culture's Kuroshio Project for its funding, the Ministry of Culture's Department of Exchange and Communication, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston for their assistance, and all the participating artists for allowing Taiwan's Indigenous culture and art to be heard worldwide. The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Indigenous Art is the only museum in New Mexico dedicated to exhibiting, collecting, researching, and interpreting contemporary Indigenous artists. Founded in 1962 , it currently houses nearly 10,000 pieces of Indigenous art, and also has a research department and library. "I believe this exhibition will not only promote contemporary Taiwanese Indigenous artists to the United States, but will also foster academic exchange and the transmission of cultural experiences," said Chen Caiyi, noting that the exhibition features more female than male artists, demonstrating the vibrant energy and creativity of Indigenous women artists in the contemporary art field. "I hope this opportunity will further spark international discussion on contemporary Indigenous art."

In a video message, curator Dr. Manuela Well-Off- Man expressed her honor to present "Breaking Ground" at MoCNA , hoping it would mark the beginning of a long-term collaborative relationship between the two museums. She noted, "This exhibition brings together leading Taiwanese Indigenous artists whose works explore the ongoing impact of colonization on culture and the environment. Through personal and political themes, they explore identity, self-expression, resilience, and the loss of Indigenous homeland, language, and cultural knowledge. These works deeply resonate with the concerns of Native American communities."

Curator Nakaw Putun stated that she regained her Indigenous name at the age of 30, an experience that deeply shaped her understanding of the connection between name and identity. "Mayaw Biho once told me that when you regain your name, you become more confident." Nakaw Putun emphasized that Taiwan's Indigenous peoples have experienced numerous cultural shocks and identity challenges under successive regimes, but "we always live on this land." She expressed her hope that this exhibition will foster a deeper exchange with Native American art, exploring historical memory, cultural identity, and future imagination. She thanked the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Indigenous Art for their invitation and support, allowing the voices of Taiwanese Indigenous artists to reach the world.

Curator Lai Junjie noted that this exhibition is a great learning opportunity for me, a Han Chinese artist. He added that contemporary Taiwanese Indigenous artists are crucial on the international stage. In addition to bringing the works of ten artists to the United States, this exhibition also includes two artists, Yiyou Gazhao and Ides Luxin, who have been invited to participate in the IAIA MoCNA Artist Residency Program. He believes this will spark further creative collaborations with local communities and artists.

Artist Idas Losin stated , "For artists, creation is a process of constant inquiry and self-discovery. Beyond seeking and creating beautiful things, as contemporary Indigenous artists, we not only create but also sound the clarion call of our culture, allowing the world to understand our stories and the emotions of our land." Losin expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, IAIA MoCNA , and the curatorial team for their support, adding, "Dear Taiwan, thank you for being our mother, nurturing us, and continuously pushing us toward a bright future with kindness, faithfulness, and loving tolerance."

"Breaking Ground," co-curated by IAIA MoCNA Chief Curator Dr. Manuela Will - Ouvert - Mann, independent curator Nagao Buchun, and National Museum of Fine Arts curator Lai Junjie, focuses on the social engagement and cultural resistance practices of Taiwanese Indigenous artists. The exhibition features ten groups of Taiwanese Indigenous artists, exploring topics such as "Coloniality and Indigenism," "Gender, Identity, and Faith," and "Learning from Nature," showcasing their contemporary perspectives on ethnic history, land memory, language revitalization, and environmental care.

The National Museum of Art stated that Taiwan is an island of multilingualism and close connection with the world, but it has also long faced inequalities in colonialism and cultural governance. The exhibition's title, "Breaking Ground," implies that cultural seeds have broken through multiple pressures and historical gaps, showcasing the creativity and critical awareness of Taiwanese Aboriginal artists in facing social issues. "Breaking Ground" also symbolizes breaking away from silence and opening up dialogue, and it also shows the re-rooting and voice of Aboriginal peoples in the contemporary context. This exhibition is not only an exercise in cultural diplomacy, but also a meaningful historical action. We hope that through this exhibition, we can not only gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context of Taiwan's Aboriginal peoples, but also place them in the dialogue and exchange of global Aboriginal issues, expanding their depth and breadth. Through artistic action, the curatorial team responds to contemporary challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in identity, environment, language, and cultural heritage, and promotes cross-cultural dialogue between Taiwanese and Native American art.

This exhibition marks the first in-depth collaboration between the National Taiwan Museum of Art and a Native American arts organization, marking a significant milestone in artistic exchange between Taiwan and the US. IAIA MoCNA Director Patsy Phillips expressed her strong support for this collaboration and expressed confidence that the exhibition will present inspiring and challenging contemporary Native American narratives to audiences worldwide.

"Breaking Ground" is scheduled to officially open at the IAIA MoCNA on August 15, 2025 , and will run for five months until January 4 , 2026. We hope this exhibition will not only deepen dialogue and understanding between the two countries regarding Indigenous cultures, but also open a new chapter for the international visibility of Taiwanese Indigenous art. For more information on the exhibition and upcoming events, please visit the official websites of the National Museum of Art and the IAIA MoCNA .

"Breaking Ground: Contemporary Indigenous Art and Activism in Taiwan"

• Exhibition period : August 15 , 2025 to January 4 , 2026​
• Exhibition Location: 2nd Floor , IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
• Curators: Dr. Manuela Well - Off - Man , Nakaw Putun , and Lai Junjie