台灣日治時期畫會資料與創作活動之再考—以台陽美術協會、栴檀社等為中心

The Tai-Yang Art Association (hereafter referred to as Tai-Yang) can rightly be described as one of the most important chapters in the history of modern art in Taiwan, second only to government-sponsored fine arts exhibitions. Its influence began during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, and remained potent even after the Second World War. Nevertheless, there are still numerous blind spots in our knowledge of Tai-Yang’s role in prewar Taiwan. This paper combs through Tai-Yang’s early history, and shows how the organization’s activities transformed Taiwan’s social and political consciousness within the realm of fine art, thereby winning space for agency and autonomy. Its artworks were inspired by interactions with the literary world and other influences, leading to a diverse display of subject matter and styles. As a result, in contrast with previous histories that designate Tai-Yang as an anti-Japanese organization, this paper refresh our understanding of Tai-Yang’s creative activities prior to World War Two.