（Taiwan, b.1953）
Yang Mao-Lin (Taiwan, b. 1953) was born in Changhua, Taiwan, and currently lives and works in Taipei. He graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Chinese Culture University. Yang is a pivotal figure in contemporary Taiwanese art, rising to prominence in the 1980s. His early works were known for challenging political and social authority, breaking taboos, and using bold visual language to reflect the societal changes before and after Taiwan’s martial law was lifted. In the 1990s, his artistic focus shifted from political activism to exploring history and culture. His iconic “MADE IN TAIWAN” series appropriates international brand logos to examine Taiwan's cultural identity and sense of self. After 2000, Yang expanded into three-dimensional works, adopting a cartoonish style and the concept of “cultural hybridity” to portray the interaction and fusion of local and foreign cultures. His art emphasizes the dynamic tension between diverse cultural elements. Yang’s works are permanently collected by institutions such as Denver Art Museum (Denver, USA), Long Museum (Shanghai, China), Taipei Fine Arts Museum, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, and the Yageo Foundation for Art.
Yang Mao-Lin’s paintings are known for their strong painterly quality and aesthetic exploration, often challenging established ideologies. He begins with mental compositions and builds intricate textures and layered colors on canvas through multi-layered underpainting techniques. In his “Wanderers of the Abyssal Darkness” series, deep-sea imagery conveys a sense of profound weight. His compositions frequently break convention, creating visual tension and balance, while the use of oil sticks and oil bars leaves deliberate traces of handwork, adding emotional depth and tactile presence. Yang’s diverse creative style incorporates elements from cartoons, sketches, and even bronze sculpture, showcasing his flexible and expressive approach. After a period away from painting to study sculpture, he returned with “The Lasting Spring” series, choosing to paint on aged wood and old round tabletops instead of traditional canvas. By preserving the natural grain of the wood and layering colors and light with meticulous pointillist techniques, he embodies an artistic philosophy of "freely expressing through formlessness," reflecting his ongoing pursuit of innovation and self-renewal.
Education
1999 LI Chun-Shen Foundation Modern Art Award
1991 First Lion Art Creation Award
1985 Initiator and First Chairman of Taipei Painting Society
1982 Initiator of 101 Modern Art Group
1979 Department of Fine Arts, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
Solo Exhibitions
2023 “Rescues in Time: Yang Mao-lin’s Journey of the Hero Within”, Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2022 “Mementos ─ 2022 Yang Mao-Lin Solo Exhibition”, Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2021 “Golden Raven, Lily and Clouded Leopard ─ Yang Mao-lin’s Solo Exhibition (2021
Next Art Tainan)”, Inart Space, Tainan, Taiwan
2019 “Installation Project Wanderers of the Abyssal Darkness”, National Kaohsiung
Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2019 “Wanderers of the Abyssal Darkness II ─ Somber Seas”, Tina Keng Gallery,
Taipei, Taiwan
2018 “Hybrid and Metamorphosis ─ Yang Mao-Lin’s Mythology”, Changhua County Art
Museum, Changhua, Taiwan
2016 “YANG MAO-LIN: A Retrospective”, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
2015 “The Quest for Mandala.Episode I ─ Wanderers of the Abyssal Darkness”, Tina
Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2011 “Kill Alice ─ Final Battle”, Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
2009 “Temple of Sublime Beauty ─ Hallelujah”, Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei,
Taipei, Taiwan
2009 “Temple of Sublime Beauty ─ Made in Taiwan”, Collateral Event of the 53th Venice
Biennial, Sala S. Tommaso, S. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice, Italy
2006 “Canonization of the Gods ─ the Pure Land of Maha”, Lin & Keng Gallery,
Taipei, Taiwan
2003 “Ceremonies before Rewarding ─ Inviting the Immortals III”, Lin & Keng Gallery,
Taipei, Taiwan
2002 “Yang Mao-Lin Solo Exhibition”, Melbourne Art Fair 2002, Melbourne, Australia
2001 “Baby, You’re Amazing: Inviting the Immortals”, Lin & Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
1999 “VOC: Handle With Care”, 48 Exponzione Internazionale d’Arte, Venice, Italy
1999 “The International of Taiwan’s Contemporary Art Vol. 6”, MOMA Contemporary, Fukuoka, Japan
1999 “Inviting the Immortals: Culture, Intercourse, Tayouan History”, Lin & Keng Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
1996 “Tayouan Topography”, Crown Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan
1995 “Tayouan Memorandum”, Galerie Pierre, Taichung, Taiwan
1994 “Tayouan Memorandum”, Crown Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan
1993“Zeelandia Memorandum”, Galerie Pierre, Taichung, Taiwan
1993 “Lily Memorandum”, Crown Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
1992 “Made in Taiwan ─ II Memorandum Section III”, Taiwania Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
1992 “Made in Taiwan ─ II Memorandum Section II”, Galerie Pierre, Taichung, Taiwan
1992“Made in Taiwan ─ II Memorandum Section I”, Hsiung Shih Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
1991 “N Ways of Understanding Carrot”, Windsor Collections, Taipei, Taiwan
1991 “101 Yang Mao-Lin One Man Show”, Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Museum, Taichung, Taiwan
1990 “Made in Taiwan ─ I”, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
1987 “Behavior of Game”, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
1985 “101 Yang Mao-Lin One Man Show”, Taichung Culture Center, Taichung, Taiwan