Taiwanese artist Chen Ching-lin unveiled a striking new work at the Osaka Kansai Expo on Saturday. As part of the We Taiwan exhibition, his textile painting reimagines the Zhuoshui River in vivid indigo hues. Chen describes this emotional creation as an Indigo River Tribute—a celebration of Taiwan’s land and culture. Spanning 920 by 294 centimeters, the textile impresses with its size and detail.
Moreover, Chen used the traditional method of natural indigo dyeing to bring it to life. For over 60 days, he and his team worked long 14-hour shifts to complete the project. In total, they invested more than 1,000 hours into soaking and saturating the fabric.
Importantly, the dyeing process made the artwork visible from both sides of the cloth. As a result, the piece feels alive and immersive. Additionally, sweeping curves and textured patterns mirror the Zhuoshui River’s winding path and rich landscape.
Chen’s inspiration runs deep. Since he was born in Shuili Township, Nantou County—just a few hundred meters from the river—the Indigo River Tribute carries deep personal meaning. According to him, the river shaped not only his childhood but also the region’s farming traditions.
Furthermore, the Zhuoshui River is often called Taiwan’s “mother river” for a reason. Its sediment-rich waters have long nourished the Changhua-Yunlin plain, one of the island’s most fertile agricultural zones. Alongside his wife, Ma Yu-hsiu, Chen has spent over four decades researching natural dyes. Together, they have extracted pigments from hundreds of native plants. As a result, they’ve created a full color spectrum—red, orange, indigo, gray—without synthetic chemicals.
However, the couple’s work is not just artistic. It also delivers a strong environmental message. Unlike industrial dyes, their natural methods do not pollute land, rivers, or oceans. Therefore, Chen hopes his Indigo River Tribute will raise awareness about sustainable textile practices. Meanwhile, chemical dyes remain dominant across the global textile industry.
Yet, their convenience comes with a high ecological price. Because of this, Chen urges both artists and manufacturers to rethink their materials. The Indigo River Tribute now features prominently in the We Taiwan pavilion at Expo 2025. Notably, this showcase highlights four pillars: culture, arts, sustainability, and innovation. Through his deeply personal Indigo River Tribute, Chen brings all of these themes together—honoring Taiwan’s past while urging care for its future.
