Faced with the challenges wrought by COVID-19, exhibition quality worldwide has been greatly affected. Yet even before the pandemic struck, after it closed for renovation in July 2018, the National Museum of History (NMH) vowed to maintain public access to its cultural resources. It has been upholding this principle ever since by keeping the gates of its online museum wide open. Last year, NMH launched the “2020: Chinese Artists Turn 100” website to introduce Chinese artists who were born in 1921 and turned 100 in 2020. This year, the museum has launched another site, covering artists who were born in 1922 and will celebrate their 100th birthday in 2021. As there were multitudes of artists and creators born in 1922, some profiles will regretfully not be included due to lack of accessible information about their lives.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Taiwan Cultural Association, the most significant organization in the movement for cultural enlightenment during Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan. Established in 1921 by Chiang Wei-shui, Lin Hsien-tang, and others, the association's purpose was to “encourage the development of Taiwanese culture” by vigorously promoting modern knowledge and movements for cultural enlightenment. Through its efforts, Taiwanese fine arts gradually became popular in Taiwan. Among the groups to arise from this movement was the Taiyang Fine Arts Association, the only Taiwanese art group considered on par with Japan’s state-run exhibitions. Founded in 1934 by Tan Ting-pho, Yen Shui-long, Lee Shih-chiao, Yan San-lang, and others, the group still holds exhibitions every year. The Taiyang Fine Arts Association has nurtured many outstanding Taiwanese artists, including Lin Sien-mo, Chin Jun-tso, Chiang Jui-keng and Xiao Ru-song, who are featured in this website, as well as photography master Lee Ming-tiao, who documented the astounding scenery at Wufeng Lin Family Garden for Lin Hsien-tang. These artists actively witnessed and participated in the development of modern fine arts in Taiwan.

This website introduces 24 centennial artists, starting from the creators of works in the NMH collection or artists who have exhibited in the museum, then gradually extending to those who have made breakthroughs in the Taiwanese art world or even expanded their reach beyond its borders. The “Treasures of the NMH Collection”section focuses on eight leading figures in different specialized art fields with work in the NMH collection. The artists are: Wang Yi-meng, a calligrapher skilled at various scripts; Wang Lan, a watercolor painter whose talents span the fields of literature and painting; Lee Ming-tiao, one of the “Three Musketeers of Photography,” whose works contain both abstract and realistic features; Chou Ying, an important abstract printmaker during the post-war period ; Lin Chuan-chu, the second-generation heir of the “Lin Family Photo Gallery”; Tseng Chi, a female disciple who inherited the style of Pu Xin-yu, a skilled illustrator of flowers, birds, and people; Liao Wei-lin, a pioneering designer as well as a master book binder ; and Chiang Jui-keng, who portrays Taiwan's northern coasts and mining industry in colorful oil paint. These artists all produced work using distinct materials and mediums to provoke the audience's aesthetic sense.

Through this website, NMH aims to introduce the creative styles and achievements of Chinese artists who have achieved the centennial milestone, as well as provide a virtual platform for art lovers to enjoy the beauty of their work while keeping safe.