Craft Center Launches Children's Special Exhibition; Kids Create Art Through Weaving

According to the Central News Agency, to help children discover that Taiwan is a 'Craft Island' through play, the Craft Center has launched the 'Craft Island - 2026 Children's Sustainable Craft Exhibition.' By guiding visitors through knowledge of the water cycle, the exhibition helps them understand the growth environments of craft materials such as lacquer and fiber, and invites children to co-create exhibits. The 'Craft Island - 2026 Children's Sustainable Craft Exhibition' unfolds through a story. The protagonist, 'Craft Superman A-He,' discovers that river water levels are dropping and embarks on a journey to find the water spirit. Different exhibition areas represent places A-He visits, such as the 'Forest of Lacquer,' featuring lacquerware, and the 'Valley of Bamboo,' showcasing bamboo crafts. The opening press conference for the exhibition was held today, featuring 107 sets of works. The largest piece, 'Let's Weave a Beautiful Island Landscape Together!', was completed by 138 participants in a parent-child workshop led by artist Kang Ya-chu. Viewed from above, it resembles the shape of Taiwan and is made from leftover fabric from textile factories. Kang Ya-chu said, 'In the exhibition, you can see island landscapes and waterfalls; these are all combinations of everyone's creations. Craft cannot be separated from life, and craft materials cannot be separated from the environment and the land. When people live in cities, it may be difficult to see materials like bamboo or tree bark in person, but we can start from life. The clothes we wear are also a form of fiber, and we can reuse waste from the textile industry.' Chen Tien-li, Director of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, stated, 'To advocate for cultural equality, the Craft Center hopes to serve everyone from children and youth to the middle-aged. The 'Craft Island - 2026 Children's Sustainable Craft Exhibition' shows that Taiwan is not only a technology island but also a craft island. In the wave of AI, thinking with one's hands is irreplaceable. We hope that through this exhibition, everyone will put down their phones and create.' The 'Craft Island - 2026 Children's Sustainable Craft Exhibition' is on display from today until September 13 on the 4th floor of the Taipei Contemporary Craft Design Branch.