呂文 LU Wen

LU Wen’s artistic practice centers on the states of life in animals—humans included. Beginning with simple observations of his pet dog’s physical form and their shared daily experiences, his work has gradually expanded to address contemporary social phenomena surrounding human relationships with dogs and cats in modern society, such as stray animals and the notion of pets as family members. Through sculptural materials, techniques, and spatial sensibilities, LU Wen explores the temporal qualities embedded in material culture, expressing his personal observations of what he terms “sentient beings.”

In The Book of Rites (Liji), “sentient beings” refers to all living animals and plants; in Buddhist thought, the term encompasses all forms of life within the six realms of reincarnation—heavenly beings, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, and beings of hell. In this body of work, LU Wen presents figurative representations of animals such as dogs, cats, and monkeys, while also extending his imagination toward more abstract inquiries: what invisible forms might human emotions and desires take under different conditions? In his monkey series, for example, LU Wen adopts a humorous and satirical tone, employing a playful sensibility to reflect on the paradoxical behavioral patterns of human beings.

LU Wen works primarily with wood carving and the traditional technique of kanshitsu (lacquered dry core sculpture). The natural grain of wood and the marks left by chisels are unique to wood carving, bearing the tactile presence of hand labor—each cut and strike registering the passage of the artist’s body and time. Kanshitsu, built through the accumulation of layered lacquer, produces surfaces that are both refined and distinct in texture. Both materials have long been used in the making of ancient Buddhist sculptures and carry with them a particular material presence and spiritual resonance. Their processes—from gathering and preparation to execution—are labor-intensive, and the finished works embody a visual depth shaped by accumulated time and cultural memory.

In an era defined by rapid advances in artificial intelligence and technology, LU Wen deliberately moves against the current by choosing a sculptural practice that demands physical labor and prolonged time, and by employing techniques that have been passed down for over a thousand years. While the virtual world may be captivating, tangible space and materials that can be touched—warm and grounded—offer a sense of reassurance and stability. Through his sculptures, LU Wen does not merely recreate animal forms; rather, he seeks to create a space that slows our pace, inviting viewers to observe, contemplate, and feel our relationship with the “forms of sentient beings.”

Lu Wen’s Curriculum Vitae

1992 Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2014 BA ,Department of Sculpture, National Taiwan University of Arts ,Taipei

2017 Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Exchange student

2018 MA ,Department of Sculpture, National Taiwan University of Arts ,Taipei

/Solo Exhibition/

2025 Yamabuki Like Breathing, CLOUD FOREST Art Space, Taipei, Taiwan

2025 The Shape of All Living Things, Taipei, LIHPAO Art Space, Taipei, Taiwan

2024 Floating Lights of Memory, Leaking Roof Art Space, Hualien, Taiwan

2023 Solo exhibition of Lu Wen,ART LAB A.S.K,Tokyo,Japan

2023 BOUSAI ART PROJECT AWARD-Lu Wen exhibition,北條工務店となり Tokyo,Japan

2020 RU SHAN | Dual Solo ,FU-YI Gallery, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

2019 ‘’Relation’’ Solo exhibition of Lu Wen,King Car Cultural & Art Center,Taipei,Taiwan

2018 Solo exhibition of Lu Wen ,Banqiao 435 ART ZONE,Taipei,Taiwan

/Group Exhibition/

2025 Shin Kuroshio Champloo,CAMP TALGANIE artistic farm,Okinawa,Japan

2025 Rhapsody of Matters ,FUGUEI Art Museum Sanyi Branch,Miaoli County,Taiwan

2024 Mixed Black Tide - Okinawa Taiwan Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition, MuheArt, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

2024 Styles and Forms III, FUGUEI Art Museum Sanyi Branch, Miaoli County, Taiwan

2023 Sumida Mukojima EXPO 2023,Tokyo,Japan

2023 GAZING ONES,FUGUEI Art Museum Sanyi Branch,Miaoli County,Taiwan

2023 Taiwan-Japan International Exchange Lacquer Art Exhibition, NTUA, Taipei

2023 The Coating&The Body-Expanding Lacquer Expression,The University of Tsukuba Art Collection,Japan

2023 The Soothing Mundane, A+ Creations ,Taipei

2023 MIYA ONSEN ART PROJECT-TO TO NO U Art museum,MIYAONSEN HIGAKI HOTEL,Aichi prefecture,Japan

2022 Haiku Sculpture Ehibition in Okinawa 2022,Naha Civic Gallery,Okinawa,Japan

2022 SHENG SHENG LIU ZHUAN-Taiwan,Japan sculpture exhibition,moon gallery, Taichung

2021 The Okinawa Haiku Sculpture Society,Naha Civic Gallery,OKINAWA

2021 Taiwan & Okinawa International artists Exchange Exhibition,CAMP TALGANIE artistic farm,OKINAWA

2021 Siang-Sculpture Exhibition,A+ Creations ,Taipei

2021 Stop Motion-The Disguises In Childlinke Dreams,Julia Gallery,Taipei

2020 National Art Exhibition ROC,National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts,Taichung ,Taiwan

2020 Moonlight Forest,yinggo, Taipei

2019 East Rift Valley Garnary Festivities, Taitung, Taiwan

2019 Taitung Art Exhibition, Taitung Art Museum, Taitung, Taiwan

2018 Up And Comes In Clouds, Cloud Gallery, Taipei

2018 The Story of GAIA, ART INFLUENCE, Taipei

2018 National Art Exhibition,ROC ,National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts,Taichung,Taiwan

2018 Nature Art Cube Exhibition for Geumgang Nature Art Biennale 2018 ,Yeonmisan Nature Art Park,Korean

2018 35 The Exchange Of African Tribal Art, 4 4 G a l l e r y,Taipei

2017 Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts sculpture major exhibition,Okinawa,Japan

2017 HAIKU-Sculpture, Joshibi University of Art, Kanagawa-ken, Japan

2016 Backtrack, NTUA, Taipei

2016 Sculpture Exhibition, NTUA, Taipei

2016 Up And Comes In Clouds, Cloud Gallery, Taipei

2016 Wood Sculpture Exhibition, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli

2015 60th NTUA Anniversary, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei

2015 Sixth Miniature Sculpture Exhibition, NTUA, Taipei

2014 Young Voices, Dadun Cultural Center, Taichung

2014 Things Beyond Things, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Taipei

2013 ROC National Art Exhibition, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art,Taichung

2013 Tradition &Innovation Tunghai International Miniature Sculpture Art Exhibition, TUNGHAI UNIVERSITY, Taichung

2013 Wood Sculpture Creation Camp, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli

2012 Third Miniature Sculpture Exhibition, NTUA, Taipei

2012 Wood Sculpture Creation Camp, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli

/Art Fair/

2025 ONE ART TAIPEI, JR East Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan

2024 WHATZ International Contemporary Art Fair, Sheraton Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan

2023 Art FUTURE, Grand Hyatt Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan

2022 Kaohsiung Young Art Fair, Pier-2 Art Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2021 ART KAOHSIUNG,City Suites - Kaohsiung Chenai,KAOHSIUNG

2020 ART TAICHIUNG,Millennium Hotels, Taichung

2019 0101 Art Fair,TWTC, Taipei

2018 ART TAICHIUNG,Millennium Hotels, Taichung

2017 Art Sanya Beach2017,The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort,Hainan

2016 ART TAICHIUNG 2016,Millennium Hotels, Taichung

2016 ART TAIPEI2016,Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition, Taipei

/Awards/

2024 "Be Nice to Me", Taiwan International Woodcarving Competition, Contemporary

Category, Miaoli, Taiwan

2024 WHATZ Supernova Award, Taipei, Taiwan

2023 BOUSAI ART PROJECT,Japan

2020 ROC National Art Exhibition,Taichung

2019 Taitung Art Exhibition,Taitung

2018 ROC National Art Exhibition,Taichung

2018 Wood Sculpture Exhibition, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli

2018 Shape art award,Yo-Chang art museum,Taipei

2016 Wood Sculpture Exhibition, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Miaoli

2015 Sixth Miniature Sculpture Exhibition,Taipei

2013 ROC National Art Exhibition,Taichung

2013 Fifth Chinese Yi,Ding Cup,China

2012 Third Miniature Sculpture Exhibition,Taipei

/Grant / Subsidy Awards/

2023 National Culture and Arts Foundation (NCAF), Overseas Arts Travel Project: Japanese Antique Art

Study Trip and Tokyo Residency & Exchange Exhibition, Japan

/Others/

2023 Artist-in-residence, Centennial Celebration Sumida Mukojima EXPO 2023, Tokyo, Japan

2023 Production collaborator, Public Art Project A: Shimmering Butterflies, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

2021 Artist-in-residence, Jinguashi Mining Art Festival, Gold Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2021 Participating artist, Pingtung Lantern Festival, Pingtung County Government, Pingtung, Taiwan

2021 Participating artist, Outdoor Art Wall Installation Project, Banqiao 435 Art Zone, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2021 Participating artist, Gate Light Installation Artwork, Banqiao Junior High School, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2020 Artist-in-residence, Jinguashi Mining Art Festival, Gold Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2019 Artist-in-residence, 435 Artists Go Wild – Participatory Public Art Project: Nostalgic Village Installation, Banqiao 435 Art Zone, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2019 Artist-in-residence, Land Art Festival: Flower Field Installation, Taitung, Taiwan

2018 Artist-in-residence, Banqiao 435 Art Zone, New Taipei City, Taiwan

/Collections/

2025

Waiting for Happiness – 2021082801, LIHPAO Cultural Arts Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan

Waiting for Happiness – 2018012911, LIHPAO Cultural Arts Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan Joy, LIHPAO

Cultural Arts Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan

2024

Await, Ulowrence Art Space, Hualien, Taiwan

Raising Bunny Spirits, Ulowrence Art Space, Hualien, Taiwan

2023

Look Up, Ulowrence Art Space, Hualien, Taiwan

Sleep, Ulowrence Art Space, Hualien, Taiwan2024