On Thursday evening, October 16, 2025, the major exhibition Rising in Fire: Hantoo Art Group grandly opened at Bluerider ART London · Mayfair. The opening reception was filled with distinguished guests and a vibrant crowd. The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Bluerider ART Founder Elsa Wang, followed by speeches from The Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, and Ambassador Vincent C.H. Yao, Representative of Taiwan to the UK. The nine Hantoo artists — Yang Mao-Lin, Wu Tien-Chang, Lu Hsien-Ming, Kuo Wei-Kuo, Lee Min-Chung, Yang Jen-Ming, Lai Hsin-Lung, Tang Tang-Fa, and Chang Ling greeted the audience, with current Hantoo Leader Kuo Wei-Kuo delivering remarks. The evening reached its climax with a triple celebration — commemorating Bluerider ART’s 12th anniversary, the 2nd anniversary of its London gallery, and the 27th anniversary of the Hantoo Art Group — concluding in warm applause and festive cheers, marking a new chapter of vibrant artistic exchange between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. More from the opening reception to follow…
Founder Bluerider ART Elsa Wang‘s opening remark:
“Dear distinguished guests and friends, good evening:
It is a great honor to host Rising in Fire: Hantoo Art Group tonight here in London, one of the world’s foremost art capitals. This marks the first collective exhibition of Hantoo Art Group in Europe in its 27-year history, and also Bluerider ART’s first dual-venue presentation across Mayfair and the Taipei Representative Office in the UK at Grosvenor Garden, featuring 60 major works by 13 renowned Taiwanese artists.
Each of their creation stems from a deep love for the island of Taiwan. Hantoo art group was formed in the 1990s, a period of social transformation when Taiwan’s art scene was fragile and uncertain. These artists persisted with belief and conviction, dedicating their lives to creation. They are the true pioneers of Taiwanese contemporary art—writing its history with their brushes and their spirits. From the sensational opening of Rising in fire in Taipei this June—fully supported by the British Office Taipei—to this October in London, this exhibition has travelled thousands of miles, transcending time, geography, and culture.
From the sensational opening of Rising in fire in Taipei this June—fully supported by the British Office Taipei—to this October in London, this exhibition has travelled thousands of miles, transcending time, geography, and culture.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan for its sponsorship; to Ambassador Yao Chin-Hsiang and all officers of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK for providing this wonderful venue and their generous support; to the dedicated team at the Cultural Division in the UK for their assistance; and most of all, to UK Trade Envoy, Lord Faulkner, for joining us in support of Bluerider ART London for the second time. My sincere thanks also go to the British Office Taipei all officers for their continuing assistance.
We are all aware of the symbolic significance of these Representative Offices. They embody Taiwan’s determination to rise and be seen on the global stage, even amid complex international circustances. This exhibition stands as a model of private initiative with official support, through these combined efforts, we hope the UK audience to experience Taiwan not only through its semiconductor industry and democratic achievements, but also through the depth of its local culture, humanity, and artistic spirit.
We all love art, but not everyone dedicates their life to it. We all love our homeland, but few devote their lives to recording people's voice. Hantoo Art Group is made up of 13 artists who truly burn for their art. Their works prove that art is not merely personal expression—it is the continuation of a shared memory, a living testimony of the spirit.
This exhibition is more than a presentation; it is a journey of rebirth from fire—a flight from the island to the world. May Rising in Fire allow the world to witness the courage, sincerity, and luminous souls of Taiwanese artists. And tonight, on this British soil, I hope to show you what we truly mean: “The most beautiful landscape of Taiwan is its people.”
Thank you for the warm welcome to Taiwanese artists from the United Kingdom！Thank you all."
Exhibition Dates
October 16 – December 31, 2025
▪️Main Venues
Bluerider ART London · Mayfair
47 Albemarle St, London, W1S 4JW
Open daily 10:00 – 18:00
▪️Second Venue: Taipei Representative Office in the UK
46–48 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0EB
Open Tuesdays & Fridays, 14:00 – 17:00 (by appointment only)
RSVP form: https://reurl.cc/GNOp2D
Contact
Bluerider ART London · Mayfair
47 Albemarle St, London, W1S 4JW
RSVP: info.uk@blueriderart.com | Tel: +44 20 3903 7827
Press Contact: Jessie Hsien | jessiehsien@blueriderart.com
