The Rainbow Village of Taiwan

My wife's cousin is going to Taiwan on Monday and I told her to check out this cool tiny settlement in Taichung. It's called Rainbow Village, a community built for retired soldiers after World War II, but has become a distinctive tourist attraction, thanks to the transformation brought about by Huang Yung-fu's vibrant murals.

The streets and the walls of practically every house in this neighborhood are covered with paintings of colorful figures, from birds and animals to celebrities and cultural minorities. Considering the fact that Huang, who is now 93 years old, began painting only five years ago, his work is pretty impressive.

AFP's Laura Mannering has written an interesting piece about the enthusiastic war veteran:

"The settlement in the Nantun district of Taichung City once comprised 1,200 homes for veterans and their families.

But as the decades-old accommodation became run-down, developers snapped up the land and residents were offered Tw$2 million ($61,000) compensation or new housing.

Huang has lived there for 37 years, staying even after his neighbours abandoned their homes and only 11 houses remained.

That's when he decided to paint."

Read the full story here.

Comments

Painting for the People

MrKas likes to deconstruct an image and turn it into something unique. He’s into puzzle patterns right now and this is one of his most recent murals. He draws inspiration from people – their emotions, their lives, their stories. The Portuguese artist creates striking, thought-provoking art through a photorealistic technique that balances precision and creativity. He likes to paint on the street because it gives him a sense of freedom. No velvet ropes, no entrance fee. He’s painting for the chatty bus driver, the charismatic old guy and his cat, and the exhausted single mom who just needs a few seconds of “wow” in her day. MrKas’ work can be seen on many murals and he has been part of several international exhibitions all around the globe.

Anna Cazu’s art is a real treat for the eyes.

If you're looking for traditional museum pieces, you might want to look elsewhere. What started out as pen and paper doodles during Anna Casugbu ’s free time evolved into delightful paintings on canvas. Her work is a breath of fresh air, and it feels less like a piece of finished art and more like a peek into a happy visual diary. I also like the use of simple, clean lines. There's no pretense, no intellectual gymnastics required. It's art that makes you feel like a kid again. If you happen to be around Makati area, please check out Draw My Anxiety , Anna's first solo exhibition. The show runs until October 11, 2025 at J Studio along Chino Roces Avenue. Artist Description: For Casugbu, art is an outlet for her to meditate and process her unresolved thoughts that tend to linger and exhaust herself mentally. By translating these spontaneous doodles onto a larger scale, not only does she make her internal world feel more real and valid but also infuses it with a playful, c...

No Code Required

I'm the type of person who likes to have an answer for everything. Why is Colnago so expensive? Why does my dog hate my neighbor? Why do I love the work of Dame Matibag ? The truth is, I can't intellectualize it. Sometimes, a piece of abstract art just hits, and you don't need a complicated explanation for it. It's not a puzzle to be solved with a pretentious essay or a mystery to be deciphered by experts with Ph.D. in art history. All you need to appreciate it is your intuition. Dame is a self-taught visual artist who started painting as a hobby and form of expression. Though she holds a business degree, painting remains her true passion. She uses her art to convey positivity, growth, and balance. Each piece reflects her personal journey, with the lines and textures illustrating resilience and beauty. Looking at a Dame's paintings silence my mind. I don't feel the need to analyze or search for a hidden message; there is just a deep, quiet sense of understanding...

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