Constructing historical plural

The “South +” concept proposed by KMFA is intended to overturn this stereotype. Under this concept, perspectives of the South are no longer limited to those of the geographically defined South but also include differentiating narratives and attitudes to discover neglected voices. In addition, this concept is not intended to create opposition between the North and the South or replace the former with the latter but to explore the possibilities of diverse historical views beyond one single narrative with its emphasis on dialogues within the South.

By presenting the works created in the 1930s to the 1960s selected from KMFA’s collection together with relevant documents and historical records, the South Plus: Constructing historical pluralism from the KMFA collection exhibition is mainly intended to discuss the conceptual formation and possibilities of “the South” as a convergence of heterogeneous characteristics, attempting to promote a kind of historical consciousness and research framework characterized with more openness and dialogues. Drawing references from the fraternity-like context of the painting associations popular in southern Taiwan back in the 1950s, this exhibition provides a theatrical and saloon-like ambience, in which the works by Chang Chi-hua, Liu Chi-hsiang, Chuang Shih-ho, and other famous artists in southern Taiwan from KMFA’s collection are presented along the chorological timeline in order to review the dawning of modern art in the South. By launching this permanent exhibition on the 25th anniversary of KMFA, we hope to not only promote gradual recognition among Kaohsiung citizens of KMFA through the works specially selected from our collection but also build visual memories of this immigrant city through arts.