“Frolic: Humor and Mischief in New Taiwanese Art,” an exhibit currently on display at East Tennessee State University’s Slocumb Galleries and the Tipton Street Gallery in downtown Johnson City, brings a sense of fun with a touch of mischief to the fall art scene.
“Frolic” continues through Friday, Sept. 5. A closing reception and curators’ lecture will be held Sept. 5 in conjunction with Johnson City’s First Friday celebration from 4-7 p.m. at Slocumb Galleries, located in Ball Hall.
This traveling exhibition of works in various media by 27 emerging Taiwanese artists is made possible by the Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Taipei Cultural Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York City.
Local sponsorship is provided by the ETSU Office of Multicultural Affairs and Department of Art and Design.
The theme of the exhibition – humor and mischief – reflects one of the main qualities of contemporary Taiwanese art production.
The “sense of fun and mischievousness exhibited in the new Taiwanese art distinguishes it from others such as the Korean, which is much more serious in its tenor and themes. The artists employ the elements of humor and mischief in various ways, manipulating artistic media in unexpected and amusing fashion.”
“Frolic” is co-curated by Dr. Thalia Vrachopoulos of New York City and Taiwan-based artist Jane Ingram Allen. Vrachopoulos, who is known for her expertise on contemporary Asian art, traveled in 2006 to Taiwan, where she was introduced to the contemporary art scene of Taipei.
Impressed by the quality of the work, the fresh approach and sense of fun expressed by the Taiwanese artists, she wanted to present this work in New York.
She approached the Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs for Support of the Exhibition and teamed up with Allen, an American artist, independent curator and art critic who has worked in Taiwan since arriving there in 2004 as a Fulbright Scholar.
The two collaborated to select the works for the exhibition and coordinate activities in Taiwan and New York.
A fully illustrated, 78-page catalog accompanies the exhibition, with essays by Allen, Vrachopoulos and Jonathan Goodman.
Exhibition hours at Slocumb Galleries are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with extended hours during the reception, while the Tipton Street Gallery is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4-6 p.m.

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