With the longest exhibition ever, artists from 9 countries and over 50 works, this is Taiwan's largest island-hopping art festival.

Group photo of distinguished guests

Taipei---Power plants, buses, military bases, newspaper offices, old houses, stadiums, and even the Frontline Cinema   are all packed with surprises.Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi makes his first visit to Matsu.   Photographer Chen Jingbao serves as curator. Liu Zhihong's new works of Chinese poplar trees make a strong return.Limited-time specials! Old wine tea eggs, soft serve ice cream, lattes, limited-edition beer, Kaoliang commemorative wine, and a super cute card   are waiting for you to take away!.

Embrace the spirit of the Chinese maple tree and experience the island this autumn !   

The "Matsu International Art Island," co- organized by the Lienchiang County Government and the Cultural Association, enters its third year this year with the theme "Paichao  - Your Ocean, My Land." Running from September 5th to November 16th , the 73 - day exhibition is the longest ever. At least 55 domestic and international art groups from nine countries and regions, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Spain, and Canada, will exhibit over 50 works across the four townships and five islands , making it Taiwan's largest island-hopping art festival.

Lienchiang County Magistrate Wang Zhongming explained that "pha-jiu" ( Pha-jiu ) originates from the Mindong language and is a fishing method passed down from generation to generation that requires the collective effort of many people. Every August and September , the entire village mobilizes its men to work at sea for over ten consecutive days, driving giant bamboo stakes into the seabed to anchor the fishing nets and lay the foundation for a good harvest next year. The Art Island, like the traditional Matsu festival "Opening the Season," is a major event that mobilizes the entire island and builds a shared vision. We are grateful to the artists, curators, and partners from home and abroad for their dedication, who, together with the residents of Matsu, have sparked creativity and brought many wonderful works to the four townships and five islands. Matsu boasts pleasant weather and abundant seafood in autumn, marking the time for the traditional three autumn festivals. We invite everyone to visit the island to admire its art and scenery, savor its delicious cuisine, experience its culture, and experience the unparalleled charm of Matsu!

Secretary-General Li Houqing of the Cultural Federation stated that the Art Island, planned over five ten-year periods, is a long-term project requiring careful cultivation. The Federation's role is like the wind, bringing all things to the ground and continuously fostering connections on the island. This year, we are collaborating with many familiar brands, such as FamilyMart, Taihu Brew, iPASS, Ququ , Yoxi , and iRent , as well as Matsu Kaoliang, a product of great pride to the people of Matsu. We hope that through these collaborations, we can spark more interest in the Matsu International Art Island and allow even those who have never set foot on Matsu to experience the Art Island in their lives. Li Houqing added, "In this era of change, Matsu has faced various challenges and demonstrated the resilience of its people. From its former war-ready island, through the gentle power of art, Matsu has reshaped its image and retelled its story." He expressed his gratitude to the residents of Matsu for their dedication and perseverance, which have shaped the rich heritage of Art Island. He hoped that through the Art Island experience, everyone would gain mutual understanding and contribute to the island's international recognition. Finally, he invited everyone to visit the island together in autumn to witness the beauty of Matsu.

Deputy Minister of Culture Li Jinghui, who has also participated in three editions, expressed deep emotion at Art Island's long-term commitment, not only to the exhibition content but also to the ongoing development of its cultural facilities, including the spatial transformation of its numerous locations and the completion of the Meishi Performing Arts Hall. This tireless effort has made Art Island a premier cultural space for future art performances. Furthermore, the island's long-term commitment to performing arts includes performances by U-Theatre, the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, and Matsu Mood Notes, a long-standing collaboration with Professor Lee Hui-mei. Through these performances, Art Island seamlessly integrates art, culture, and everyday life, making it a highly recommended experience for travelers visiting the island.

Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu of the Tourism Bureau also shared that upon assuming her position, she traveled to Taiwan's four townships and five islands and was deeply moved by the islands' charm. "Culture is the soul of tourism, and tourism is the stage for culture," she said. The Matsu International Art Island perfectly embodies these two sayings. Taiwan is a severely underrated tourist destination, and Matsu is undoubtedly well-positioned to become a highlight. We are grateful to the artists for their dedication, allowing the island's hidden essence to be refined, engaging with culture and history through artwork and space. We welcome everyone to embark on an island-hopping art journey, aboard the Blue Highway.

This year's visual film, a special collaboration with creator Guo Mei, draws inspiration from the Hokkien word "Zhuzhuri" (meaning every day). The film invites visitors to follow the distinctive small-scale stop-motion animation and Phenakistani technique, capturing the daily lives of islanders of varying identities. These include chefs, landscape designers, artists, lighthouse keepers, lantern makers, brewers, and an elderly fisherman, alongside numerous other islanders, connecting every day on the Art Island.

As a contemporary "Paixue", Art Island connects the past with the outside world and launches cultural activities that are oriented towards the world.

Art Island, a contemporary "Paizhu," echoes the collective memory of Matsu's golden age of fishing: "One net feeds one person, and one net for fishing sustains the entire island." Using the biennial as its rhythm, it mobilizes island forces across villages, generations, industries, and sectors, connecting every islander through art and weaving a cultural network for the future. "Paizhu" is more than just a traditional craft; it is Matsu's cultural language that connects the world and opens dialogue. "Your Ocean, My Land" reminds us to reinterpret our relationship with others, our place, and the world. From every corner of Art Island, let us revisit Matsu's daily life and its future possibilities. This year's exhibition focuses on three major themes: "Matsu on the Island," "Matsu on the Frontier," and "Matsu on the Ocean," all of which tell the contemporary story of the island.

Starting from island life and shared memories, we will walk into the daily life of the island through diverse artistic creations.

Diverse forms of art offer the best way to immerse yourself in island life. In response to the annual theme, "Paihua  -  Your Ocean, My Land," artist Gan Mingyuan presented the large-scale bamboo installation "Paihua - Bamboo Light and Bamboo Shadow" in Aokou. Liu Zhihong, who created "Fishing Fire" and "Fishing Light" at the previous two editions, returned to Art Island for the third time. He co-curated the Folk Culture Museum's special exhibition "Ten People, Ten Seas" with Huang Zhenyan and Guo Meijun, and created new works "Fishing Tide" and "Fish Stain" at Wujianpai in Qiaozai. Malaysian artist Zhu Weilong also presented the wind-driven installation "Fishing Dream" in Aokou, Shannen, reflecting on the memories of fishermen of the past, adapting to the currents and coexisting with the sea.

The third Art Island also featured numerous local Matsu artists. Photographer Chen Jingbao returned to Beigan to curate the project "Between Gods and Humans, Fantasy Island," personally participating in the project. Four artists were invited to weave together Beigan Island's objective reality and subjective mystery through photography and video works. Meanwhile, on the Zhuluo Bay Causeway in Nangan, sculptor Chen Yihui's large-scale coastal landscape work "Nesting" reflects the past frontier landscape, transforming it into a contemporary island identity. Technology artist Huang Xinjian, acting as Matsu's son-in-law, collaborated with his creative team and Lin Qiang on "Voices from the Other Shore," installed on the New Taiwan Ferry, inviting viewers to embark on an aural artistic journey from the sea. This year, the Hsinchu Living Aesthetics Museum has specially invited artists who have participated in the Art Guerrilla Residency Project in the past to return to Matsu to explore the island memories of Dongju and Xiju.

Power plants, buses, military bases, newspaper offices, old houses, frontline cinemas, gymnasiums, and all over the country are art performance venues.

Matsu boasts a unique Mindong and battlefield culture, and artistic interventions invite visitors to journey through time and space, exploring the island's charm between mountains and sea. This year, curated by the Taipower Public Art Team, visitors can explore the Beigan Military Spirit Power Plant and 40 bases, exploring the "Military Spirit 1975 Time Museum" and tracing past glory and memories. Alternatively, hop aboard the "Yellow Fish Bus," designed by Zou Junsheng, and journey along the winding roads between North and South Gan, embarking on a mobile island journey. Architect Lin Shengfeng's landscape work "Ocean," recreating memories of homes in the Houwo settlement, connects the spatial narratives of Mindong settlements.

Step into the Matsu Daily Story House and revisit military days and family portraits with islanders through Wu Bowei's photo studio installation, "Okay, Okay, Brother and Dad." Or visit the old barracks and participate in curator Hong Yucheng's "Letters Through Wormholes" project, where you can read messages from the past and write down your thoughts to friends and family, past and future.

Visit the old Nangan Stadium —  a venue once steeped in the memories of countless islanders. It's opening its doors for the last time before demolition and reconstruction, showcasing Japanese artist Yanagi Yukinori's masterpiece, "Godzilla Project 2025. " Alternatively, visit Zhongzheng Hall in Xiju, the former site of the Frontier Cinema, to see artist Chen Jieren's work, "Imperial Border II - Western Company." Alternatively, take an overnight boat to Dongyin and, inside the 1935 Xiangji Store, enjoy the Walking Grassland Farmers / Art Troupe's "Standing Memories," a glimpse into the shared visual memories of Taiwanese families, at the crossroads between nation and individual. Finally, visit Outposts 26 , 53 , and 77 , reopening for the first time after their architect-designed renovations, showcasing the power of military outposts' translation and regeneration, making art a crucial medium connecting history, space, and imagined futures.

The first international call for submissions was launched, inviting international artists to come to the island to create and build an international identity for the Cold War cultural landscape.

This year's inaugural international call for entries attracted 213 entries from artists across six continents. Among them, Taiwanese-Canadian artist Li Peishan will exhibit "No One's Pawns, We Are ... " at Nangan's 26th location , allowing the world to witness the unique beauty and sorrow of these "pawns" in the power game. Japanese artist duo Ken and Julia Yonetani will exhibit "The Web of Life" at the Nangan Mountain Rehearsal Hall. Using fishing line as a medium, they celebrate the inseparable connection between all life systems and illustrate the interdependence between humans and the ocean. Taiwanese artist Peng Yalun will present "A White Horse Is Not a Horse" at the Nangan Meishi Camp teahouse, exploring the life narratives and memories of female characters on the island.

In addition to the works being submitted, Spanish artist Juan Zamora's " Dream Pavilion," overlooking Beigan Island, reflects the nature and history of Matsu through a subconscious dreamscape, inviting viewers to experience the spatial experience of dreaming and sleeping with the ocean. Japanese artist Takato Kimura's "Days Becoming Clouds with Two Islands" features a co-creation workshop in Dongju and Ogijima, creating a blue-sun kite that carries the dreams and blessings of both places, connecting the beautiful cross-border friendship between Taiwan and Japan through art. Canadian artists Pierre & Marie exhibited their captivating masterpiece " Big Other " in Xiju, leading us to re-examine and reflect on the relationship between island boundaries and the Other.

Autumn is the best season to visit Matsu!

To welcome visitors to the island, Art Island has recruited nearly 100 local partners, including hotels, restaurants, restaurants, cultural and creative venues, drivers, and tour guides. Limited-time official guided tours are also available, as well as the "International Traveler Landing" program to welcome international visitors. In the performing arts sector, there are exciting performances by U-Theatre, Dance Space, and Reed Music; "Matsu Mood Chronicles 7 : Pai Piao" by the Matsu Theatre and North Point Star Theatre; and joint performances by the Ministry of Culture's Zhuangtou Theatre, Paper Windmill Theatre, the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation, and Taipei Chief Ballet. We invite everyone to visit the island this fall and experience the unparalleled charm of Matsu!

The 3rd Matsu International Art Island, Pai Mao - Your Ocean, My Land

• Exhibition Period: September 5-November 16, 2025
• Art Island information: https://portaly.cc/matsubiennial