When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Catholic priests came to Taiwan with the Spanish fleet in 1626, marking the official beginning of Catholic missionary work and welfare services on the island. Within a period of four hundred years, Taiwan was ruled by the Ming and Qing Dynasty, colonized by the Japanese, and struggled through WWII. Yet even in the most tumultuous of times, the Church and missionaries never left nor abandoned Taiwan and its people. In addition to preaching the gospel, the Catholic missionaries were also devoted to charity assistance, medical services, and education, serving Taiwan through practical actions.
Light, explained from a physics perspective, is a visible electromagnetic wave (visible light). Everyone can see light. In the Christian faith, "Light" symbolizes Jesus, beauty and good, happiness, good health, salvation and the very life itself. It spreads universal values to everyone, just like physical light can be seen by all. For this "The Light of the World" exhibition, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See presents 23 pieces of exciting artworks by 21 contemporary Taiwanese artists from Art Bank Taiwan. National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts also loaned out two collections by seasoned artists CHAN Chien-Yu and Ho Huey-Chih respectively, and TSENG Ying-Tung loaned out one of his personal art pieces as well. These creations showcase the multiple aspects of Taiwan's contemporary art scene, and themes such as the Christian belief (the broad definition of Christianity), traditional culture, and global views, showing that Taiwan has a rich and vibrant art foundation. The passion and love artists have for life and the world are the same as the kindness, inclusiveness, and selflessness of the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ.
Creation is a means of documentation and communication. Artists observe with their eyes and feel with their hearts. They have recorded many stories of light and kindness that show devotion to faith, transition of cultures, and love towards all beings.
And the light of the world shines on the land, brightening the hearts of people and connecting individual lives.

ARTISTS/
NIU Jun-Qiang, Iyo Kacaw, Etan Pavavalung, TU Pei-Shih, LIN Yang-Ling, LIN Chun-Ju, Meika Walis, SUN Pei-Mao, HSU Can-Lin, CHEN Min-Tse, Jessica TAO, TSENG Mei-Chen, TSENG Ying-Tung, HO Huey-Chih, HUANG Po-Hsun, YANG Yi-Syuan, CHAN Chien-Yu, LIU Yun-Yi, LIU Yu-Fang, JEN Fu-Cheng, Gina CHIAO, HSIAO Ya-Hsin, SU Tzu-Han

SUPERVISOR：Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan)
ORGANIZERS：Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See; Taiwan Art Bank, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
COMMISSIONER：Matthew S.M. LEE, LIN Chi-Ming
EXHIBITION SUPERVISOR：WANG Chia-Cheng
EXHIBITION PLANNING：Kevin UY
EXHIBITION COORDINATION：Begoña H. L. TSAI, Kevin UY
GRAPHIC DESIGN ：LEE Hsin-Hung