On July 18th, 2020, Baltimore Clayworks launched its summer exhibition, The Wind of Change: Contemporary Ceramics of Taiwan. The Wind of Change show features a variety of pieces produced by Taiwanese artists, including wall installations, abstract sculptures, and functional pottery. After its exhibition at Baltimore Clayworks ends in August, the Wind of Change show will be displayed at Harford Community College in Maryland and the West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
The Wind of Change highlights a longstanding artistic partnership between Baltimore Clayworks and Taiwanese artisans. Baltimore Clayworks has maintained an exchange of artists with Taiwan’s Tainan National University of the Arts since 2005. Some pieces displayed in the Wind of Change exhibition were produced by Taiwanese artists formerly in-residence at Baltimore Clayworks. The exhibit was curated by Professor Ching-Yuan Chang of Tainan National University of the Arts, who previously served as a resident artist at Baltimore Clayworks. Professor Chang worked alongside the center to create community art projects and educational programs during his time in Baltimore.
The exhibition was produced with substantial support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and Taiwan Academy partnered with Baltimore Clayworks to develop and launch the Wind of Change show. In addition to their artistic collaborations, Taiwan and the State of Maryland share a strong economic and educational partnership. Nearly 450 Taiwanese students study in Maryland annually, generating an economic impact of $15,294,426 for the state. Taiwan also provided aid to Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic, donating 100,000 face masks to help frontline medical personnel. Local connections forged between Taiwan and Maryland remain strong as well; last summer, Rockville, Maryland and Yilan, Taiwan formally became sister cities. In April 2020, Yilan’s Sister City Promotion Association donated thermometers, hand sanitizer, one ton of disinfectant, 100 pairs of goggles, and 2,000 face masks to Rockville, followed by another 10,000 face masks in June. Maryland and Taiwan’s mutual commitment to promoting cultural exchange, education, and public health has bolstered the relationship amid unprecedented challenges.
Estrella Hernandez is a Research Intern at the East-West Center in Washington. She is a rising second-year at the University of Chicago pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies.