Paiwan artist Etan Pavavalung, a long-term partner of Asia Art Center, joins Prof. Huang Hai Ming and Prof. Atsushi Nobayashi of the National Museum of Ethnology, Japan, to co-curate Formosa Art: Contemporary Indigenous Art from Taiwan. Supported by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, the exhibition marks a milestone in the collaboration between the two institutions. It will be on view from September 18 to December 16, 2025, at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka.
The show unfolds across three themes: "Myths, Legends, Fantasy," "History, Suffering, Rebirth," and "Future, Hope, Creation," these themes trace the continuity and transformation of Indigenous cultures through time. Featuring twelve Indigenous artists from Taiwan, including Etan Pavavalung, the exhibition presents works ranging from painting and sculpture to mixed media. From ancestral mythology to historical memory and visions of the future, the exhibition highlights both the diversity and the contemporary vitality of Indigenous cultural expression. For this exhibition, Etan Pavavalung presents his renowned 'Trace Layer Carve Paint' series alongside newly developed mixed media works on paper from 2024. Inspired by his father's craftsmanship (lima) and his mother's words (kai), these works reflect a deep concern and reflection on the relationship between humanity and nature. More than an art exhibition, it embodies cultural diplomacy on the international stage.
Founded in 1974 within the Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Suita, Osaka, the National Museum of Ethnology is Japan's premier research institution and museum dedicated to cultural anthropology and ethnology. It houses extensive collections of artifacts, audiovisual materials, and scholarly resources from around the world, and serves as a hub for both academic research and public education. Its permanent exhibitions cover the cultures of Asia, Oceania, the Americas, Europe, and Africa, while its special exhibitions provide critical insights into contemporary global issues through the lens of culture and art.
Formosa ∞ Art: Contemporary Indigenous Art from Taiwan
Dates and venue | 18 September – 16 December 2025, National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka
Artists |
Etan Pavavalung, Yuma Taru, Aluaiy Kaumakan, Kulele Ruladen, Masegeseg Zingerur, Adan Dalujalung, Nitjan Takivalit, Siki Sufin, Patadalj Arucanglj, Syaman Misrako, Milay Mavaliw, Idas Losin
Organizers | Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines (Taipei), National Museum of Ethnology (Osaka)
Sponsor | Ministry of Culture, Taiwan
Courtesy of the artist and National Museum of Ethnology.
