[Printmaker Yung-chin Chen Sets National Record with Seven First Prizes in Six Years]

　Renowned printmaker Yung-chin Chen was awarded the First Prize for his work at the 41st Annual Exhibition of New Year Prints, Republic of China, organized by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. The nationwide competition underwent multiple rounds of rigorous professional review, ultimately selecting only six first-prize winners. This marks Chen’s sixth national first prize, with a total of seven award-winning works attaining the highest honor - a new national record.

　Chen’s winning piece, centers on AI and the semiconductor industry, symbolizing the vitality and pride of Taiwan as the “Kingdom of Chips.” The composition features a galloping horse, peonies symbolizing prosperity, and persimmons representing good fortune, conveying the auspicious message of “fame across the world and success in all endeavors.” The work received high praise from the judges. Employing multiple plate printing and layered color techniques, Chen creates a rich interplay of light, texture, and depth, combining the solidity of woodcut with the delicacy of screen printing. His craftsmanship conveys both the warmth of handmade artistry and powerful visual dynamism. Chen’s works have been featured in numerous national exhibitions, including the Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibitions, the Hsinchu Art Exhibition, and the Taiwan International Print Biennial, and are included in the permanent collection of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.

　[Calligrapher Yi-fu Xie Wins First Place in the 2025 Hsinchu County Magistrate’s Cup National Calligraphy Competition, Senior Division (新竹縣縣長盃全國書法長青組)]

　Specializing in semi-cursive and cursive script, Xie’s brushwork is vigorous yet balanced, demonstrating a harmonious blend of classical grace and contemporary spirit. His compositions are imbued with rhythm and vitality, revealing both technical mastery and a profound dedication to traditional calligraphic art. Xie received First Place in the Senior Division of the Hsinchu County Magistrate’s Cup National Calligraphy Competition (新竹縣縣長盃全國書法長青組). Over the years, he has also earned numerous national accolades, including First Prize in the King Hong Award - Annual National Calligraphy Competition, the Leiweng Cup (磊翁盃), the Xingtian Temple Cup (行天宮盃), and the Zhongyuan Cup (中原盃) National Calligraphy Competitions. In addition, he received an Excellence Award in the “Zhoujia National Calligraphy and Seal Carving Competition (周甲全國書法篆刻大賽)” organized by the Chinese Calligraphy Society, as well as High Distinction in the “Jing-yi Shi, Ph.D. Cup Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Competition (石景宜博士杯華夏書畫創作大賽),” and the highest honor - the “Gadang Cultural Award (嘎檔文化獎)” - at the Gadang Cup Taiwan Calligraphy Competition (嘎檔杯臺灣書法大賽).