NCKU's Fourth Indigenous Art Showcase Displays Impressive Cultural Learning Achievements on Campus-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The Fourth "Indigenous Art Showcase" is now open at National Cheng Kung University's Kuang-Fu Campus. This exhibition features multiple card loom weaving works created by seven participants from an on-campus cultural learning course led by artist Tuku Ragiwsane, also known as Tsai-Lien Tu. The showcase will be on display at the Yun-Ping Building's first-floor atrium window until September 27.


The theme of the Fourth Indigenous Art Showcase is "Every Day is a Practice." The exhibition opened on the morning of July 3 with lively indigenous music playing in the background. The event also includes a display of weaving works from Tuku Ragiwsane’s studio, "Past Tribe Wife," along with wearable card loom weaving tools and hand-drawn illustration cards, attracting many passersby, including faculty and students.


Tuku Ragiwsane, a member of the Rukai tribe from Wutai Village in Wutai Township, Pingtung County, has been invited to NCKU as a cultural learning instructor since 2019 and is presenting her first exhibition this year. Ragiwsane had high expectations for her first showcase. In her opening speech, she became emotional and shed tears while recalling the challenging setup process. Dissatisfied with the initial setup, she made the decision to remove the wallpaper that was put up on the first day and start over on the second day. The preparation process became more intensive, but fortunately, the final display better showcased the brilliant works of her students. She expressed gratitude to all the participants, stating, "Without them, there would be no me." She added, "NCKU constantly challenges me to grow, and I'm grateful for the push."


The participants in this cultural learning course were faculty, staff, and students from NCKU. The seven participants attended eight sessions between March and April 2024, dedicating three hours of focused learning after work or school in the evenings. From understanding weaving and learning about pattern design and composition to color arrangement and hands-on practice, they were proud to see their works displayed publicly. One participant mentioned that the phone strap they weaved in class has already been gifted to a family member who loves it. Others expressed hope to join such fun, stress-relieving courses that also teach cultural skills in the future.


To foster a culturally inclusive campus, the Indigenous Student Resource Center at National Cheng Kung University initiated the "Indigenous Art Showcase" in 2021. The exhibitions have been well-received, showcasing artworks such as illustrations and comics by the Bunun and Tsou tribes, Paiwan leather carvings, headdresses, utensils, and shell ginger leaf sheath crafts. This year's Rukai weaving exhibits, with their distinctive style, have caught the eye of many viewers, who inquired about enrolling in related courses during the exhibit setup.


The Indigenous Student Resource Center at NCKU is committed to creating an inclusive campus environment through diverse activities such as lectures, film reading sessions, tribal industry field studies, and cultural skill workshops. All related courses and activities are open to the entire university community, with information provided through university-wide emails or by following the center’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.