Ocean Theater NO11

作品賞析

Artist Yang Shun-Fa recently used Taiwan’s coastline as the subject of his works, hoping to rediscover and understand Taiwan through the perspective of maritime culture. His work Ocean Theater No. 11 is based on the dying sea-ox culture of Fangyuan, Changhua. The coastal area of Changhua is the largest intertidal wetland in Taiwan. Changhua fishermen traditionally use oxen to assist in the breeding and harvesting work in oyster fields, forming a unique sea-ox culture. In recent years, the sea-ox have been mostly replaced by oyster harvesting trucks, so they have gradually been transformed into an integral part of the eco-tourism experience. In the picture, a family pulls a sea-ox, prepares simple offerings, and prays devoutly toward the sky and sea on the coastal wetland. The shape of the mudflat on which they are standing is like the shape of the island of Taiwan. The fishermen holding incense sticks are full of respect and firmness, showing the unique maritime character and spirit of Taiwanese people.