The Eight Generals

作品賞析

SU Chih-Wei is skilled in using woodcut painting to portray Taiwan’s folk customs and traditional festivals. The Eight Generals is based upon Din Tao troupes and the flamboyantly colored Eight Generals common in Taiwan’s temple festivals. Three of these Generals occupy the most important locations of the composition, wearing stoic expressions with staring eyes, wielding fans in their right hand and divine artifacts in their left, and striding forth in majestic steps. Following behind are other divine beings and their entourage such as the Qi Ye and Ba Ye. Traditional houses and skyscrapers in the background cleverly balances the noisy and busy atmosphere in the foreground. By using outlines of different thicknesses and combining different colors, SU Chih-Wei has displayed a masterful command over folk art aesthetics to recreate a truthful depiction of the boisterous gala that represents Taiwanese temple festivals.