Tu-Yun HSU

Tu-Yun Hsu, born in 1995 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, graduated in 2018 with a degree in Visual Arts from National Pingtung University, where she also minored in Music. In 2022, she pursued a master’s degree in the Department of Visual Arts and Design at National Tainan University. Her artwork “Gaze” was selected for the “Taoyuan Art Exhibition” in 2023, and her piece “Stare” received an honorable mention at the “Tainan Art Exhibition.”

Tu-Yun Hsu’s art profoundly explores how individuals in a society shaped by traditional ethics grapple with internal conflicts and pressures. She believes that this societal environment is eroding people’s core beliefs, causing them to bear the weight of others’ expectations, struggle against their own desires, and ultimately lose their sense of self.

Through the intricate layering and shading techniques of Gongbi painting, Hsu finds peace during the slow and meticulous creation process, allowing her to pour her complex emotions into her work. Her paintings express how, despite being constrained by social norms, people yearn for freedom while striving to preserve their true intentions deep within.

Tu-Yun Hsu’s work blends traditional Gongbi painting with the use of metallic foils, highlighting the versatility and richness of ink painting. Her mentor, Professor Chen Jianfa, Chair of the Department of Visual Arts and Design at National Tainan University, commented that her work reflects urban ink painting, presenting the social and psychological dimensions of the urban environment through the medium of ink. Professor Chen noted that Hsu’s artwork contains underlying messages and ideas, inviting viewers to connect with the pieces on a personal level as they engage with the art.