Miaoli County Government Press Release: 2023/10/17
Press Section, General Affairs Department: He Guan-shian
The Gongguan Township of Miaoli County serves as a stronghold for porcelain and ceramic manufacturing- an important industry for Miaoli County. To recreate the prosperous scenes of Taiwan's porcelain figure manufacturing in the 1980s, the Miaoli Craft Park of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, Miaoli Branch, has organized the exhibition titled “Western Romance: Made in Taiwan- the Story of Taiwan’s Porcelain Figures Industry in the 1980s”. On October 17, Deng Gui-ju, the Deputy Magistrate of Miaoli County, attended and unveiled the exhibition. She extended an invitation to the public to visit and witness the glamour of Taiwan as it became the “Kingdom of Decorative Porcelain” during that period.
Miaoli Craft Park stated that in the 1970s, the region’s natural endowments, including the weather, geology, natural gas, and clay led to intense competition among international markets seeking to cooperate with Miaoli County. During that period, Japanese companies chose the Gongguan Township area as their subsidiary factories to aid in the production of porcelain figures that were then distributed to overseas markets, including America, Canada, Germany, and the UK. In its heyday, there were over 300 decorative porcelain factories in Miaoli County, making it the undisclosed champion among Taiwan’s export industries. The decorative porcelain items frequently used by Western countries for home decor or as gifts to relatives and friends during Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter are predominantly manufactured in Miaoli County.
On October 17, Deng Gui-ju, the Deputy Magistrate of Miaoli County, along with Chen Dian-li, the Director of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, and Miaoli County Councilors Yu Wen-zhong and Xu Xiao-jing unveiled the exhibition: “Western Romance: Made in Taiwan- the Story of Taiwan’s Porcelain Figures Industry in the 1980s”. The manufacturing characteristics and cultural significance of porcelain figures will be conveyed through 2D graphic illustrations and 3D prototype sculpting designs.
The exhibition is situated at Miaoli Craft Park and will be on display until February 29, 2024. The exhibition is divided into 6 themes: “The Romance of the Western World, The Encounter between East and West, Mass Production and Reproduction, Complete Industrial Chain, Getting to Know Porcelain Figures, and Classics and Memories” to reenact Taiwan's porcelain and ceramic scenes and share the industry n of porcelain figures in the 1980s.
Chen Dian-li, the Director of the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, advocates “Living with crafts, revive craftsmanship". He said that the decorative porcelain industry holds significant value for Miaoli County as well as for Taiwan. The Taiwanese initially began making porcelain figures by fulfilling orders, and over time, they were able to independently design and create porcelain figures. The diligence and spirit of perseverance displayed during this period of development contributed significantly to shaping Taiwan into what it is today. From OEM taking a prominent position on the global stage, we aspire to produce art and craft pieces that meet the lifestyles of consumers in modern society through craftsmanship. Consequently, craftsmanship can be revived to become an integral part of the living industry.
Deng Gui-ju, the Deputy Magistrate of Miaoli County, stated that Miaoli County is endowed with unique natural conditions that have nurtured numerous craft and art industries, including pottery, weaving, and wood carving. As Chen Dian-li said, from living with crafts to rekindling craftsmanship, Taiwan’s past and future are molded in the process. In alignment with the exhibition’s theme, we’ll not only revisit Taiwan's porcelain figure industry in the 1980s but also contemplate the future development of the porcelain and ceramic manufacturing industry through the lens of life aesthetics. We also hope to cooperate with research institutions in the future. After Magistrate Chung Tung-chin took office, he attached great importance to the development of local industries and the youth in particular. We believe that the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute will emerge as a strong partner in local development.