1544

Portuguese sailors are the first Europeans to land on the island of Taiwan, which they named Formosa.

1621

Official beginning of the 300+ year history of Han Chinese in Taiwan.

1624

Dutch trading vessels land at An-ping in Tainan.

1626

The Spanish occupy northern Taiwan, but are expelled by the Dutch in 1641.

1661

Cheng Cheng-kung expels the Dutch from Taiwan and renames Taiwan Tung-tu (Eastern capital).

1684

Taiwan is incorporated into the newly formed Ching Empire, becoming part of Fukien province.

1874

Sino-Japanese conflict results in the Peony Society Incident of 1871. As a result, the Ching Government begins to attach greater importance to the control of mountainous areas and the development of related resources. With this new policy of mountain development and assuaging the barbarians,” the relationship between Han Chinese on the plains and indigenous peoples living closer to the mountain ranges becomes much closer. However, conflict and friction between the two groups persists.

1885

Taiwan is designated a Province in its own right, independent from Fukien Province.

1895

Ching Dynasty China cedes Taiwan to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki after Japan’s victory in the Sino-Japanese War.

1912

Ching Dynasty collapses. Sun Yat-sen becomes the first president of Republic of China.

1914

The Japanese army suppresses the Taroko Barbarians in the Ho-huan Mountain Area. A military force of over 10,000 Japanese troops is used to put down an aboriginal force numbering only 3,000 in total, ending Taiwan’s largest military engagement of the twentieth century.

1924

With the support and encouragement of a Japanese art teacher, Ishikawa Kinichiro (1871-1945, resident in Taiwan 1907-1916), seven Taiwanese Western-style painters establish the Seven Star Art Group. Dissolved in 1927, this organization seeks to promote a more vigorous art movement in Taiwan.

1927

Government organizes the first officially sanctioned Taiwan Art Festival, which was to have an important influence on the later development of Taiwanese art. Based on the format of the Japanese Imperial Exhibition, the exhibition was divided into two sections; Toyoga (eastern painting) and western painting. The three Taiwanese artists who received awards in the Toyoga Section, including Chen Chin, Lin Yu-shan and Kuo Hsueh-hu, were referred to as the Three Taiwan Art Festival Youths.”

1934

Establishment of the Tai-yang Art Association, the largest private art association in Taiwan at the time.

The first publicly-funded exhibition of the Tai-yang Art Association held in Taipei.

1936

Organization of the 10^th and final Taiwan Art Festival.

1938

Opening of the 1^st Taiwan Governor’s Art Festival, effectively an extension of the earlier official Taiwan Art Festival. However, the TGAF was held only six times before it was discontinued in 1943.

1945

Emperor Hirohito makes a radio broadcast declaring Japan’s unconditional surrender and WWII draws to a close.

Establishment of the Taiwan Cultural Association.

1946

Opening of the first National Art Exhibition at the Sun Yat-sen Hall in Taipei.

Official opening of the Taiwan Provincial Museum.

1947

Nationalist (Kuomintang) Chinese authorities suppresses an uprising by local Taiwanese, beginning on February 28^th in which an estimated 20,000 people died. This is remembered as the 2-2-8 Incident.

1948

First collection from the National Palace Museum and the Sun Yat-sen Museum in Mainland China arrive in Keelung, Taiwan.

Having received official support in 1946, the Tai-yang Art Association, still the largest private art group in Taiwan, continues to organize exhibitions.

1949

Establishment of the People’s Republic of China.

Establishment of the Taiwan Province Art Assistance Union.

Promulgation of Martial Law in Taiwan.

1950

Ho Tie-hua, an artist newly arrived in Taiwan from Mainland China, establishes the 20^th Century Association. It aims to promote the New Art Movement and to this end publishes a journal, New Art.

1951

Lee Chung-sheng establishes the Avant Garde Research Group in Taipei, and publishes a series of articles on art criticism. This marked the beginning of an independent space for art. This had a major impact on the post-war modern painting movement in Taiwan. Other artists including Chuang Shih-ho, Chu Te-chun, Liu Shih, Lee Chung-sheng, Chao Chun-hsiang and Lin Sheng-yang held a “Modern Painting Group Exhibition” at the Sun Yat-sen Hall in Taipei.

The United States begins to provide Taiwan with military aid.

1952

The 20^th Century Association organizes the Free China Art Exhibition.

1954

Formation of the Era Art Association by Hung Jui-lin.

1955

Taiwan Provincial Normal College is reorganized as National Taiwan Normal University.

Establishment of the National Museum of History.

1956

First invitation to attend the Sao Paolo Biennial in Brazil.

1957

Students of Lee Chung-sheng found the Eastern Tung-Fang Painting Association, the first abstract painting organization in Taiwan.

First exhibition by the Fifth Moon Group.

1958

Establishment of the Chinese Modern Print Association by Yang Ying-feng.

1960

Establishment of Painting Today Group by Liao Hsiu-ping.

A total of seventeen private art organizations are founded in the 1960’s, including as many as 140 artists.

1961

Fine Art Department is established at the National College of the Arts.

1962

Established in Italy in 1961 by Hsiao Chin, Lee Yuan-chia, and Calderara, Punto International Art Movement holds its first exhibition in Taipei.

First broadcast from the national television station Taiwan Television Company.

1963

The privately funded Chinese Culture University establishes an Art Department.

1965

The National Palace Museum in Taiwan moves to Wai-shuang-hsi and opens to the public.

1966

Establishment of Beyond Painting Art Association by Lee Chang-chun.

The Art Department at National Normal University is renamed Fine Arts Department.

Establishment of the Chinese Modern Ink Painting Society by Ho Huai-shuo.

1970

Establishment of the Republic of China Print Society.

1971

Loses China seat at the United Nations.

Introductory issue of Hsiung Shih Art Monthly, the first professional magazine devoted to the introduction of contemporary art in Taiwan.

Flourishing of the Nativist Culture Movement.

Official dissolution of the Eastern Painting Association.

1975

Death of Chiang Kai-shek

First edition of Artist Magazine published.

1976

The first public exhibition of works by the self-trained artist Hung Tung attracts unprecedented crowds to an art event. Artist Chu Ming also attracted much attention for his involvement in the Nativist Movement.

Hsiung Shih Art Monthly establishes a New Painter Award, the first important award introduced to encourage a new generation of artists.

1979

United States transfers diplomatic recognition from Kuomintang’s Republic of China to the Chinese Communist Party’s People Republic of China as the "One China"”

The anti-KMT Formosa Magazine organizes demonstrations in Kaohsiung that result in violent clashes between police and protesters; this event is later remembered as the Kaohsiung Incident.

Artist Hsieh Te-ching holds a body art exhibition in New York entitled One Year of Self Imprisonment..

1981

National Museum of History holds an exhibition of paintings by Picasso.

The National Legislature passes the organizational charter for the establishment of the Council for Cultural Affairs, which becomes a key sponsor of art and cultural events.

1982

Establishment of National Institute of the Arts.

Establishment of the Chinese Modern Painting Society.

Establishment of the 101 Modern Art Group.

1983

Opening of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the first museum in Taiwan to focus specifically on modern and contemporary art.

First exhibition of the International Print Biennial, ROC.

1984

Establishment of the Aboriginal Rights Promotion Association, which marks the beginning of the aboriginal rights movement.

Council for Cultural Affairs organizes an exhibition, Development of the Fine Arts in Taiwan – A Retrospective.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum holds an exhibition, New Prospects in Chinese Modern Painting.

1986

Democratic Progressive Party formed in opposition to the Kuomintang.

1^st Art Gallery Festival is held at the Howard Salon in Taipei.

1987

Martial law is suspended. Restrictions on newspapers are lifted, and the formation of political parties and family visits to Mainland China are permitted.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum organizes an Exhibition of Modern Sculpture in the ROC.

Huan Ya Art Center, New Image Gallery and the Spring Art Gallery close.

1988

Lee Teng-hui becomes the first Taiwan-born president.

Taiwan Museum of Art opens in Taichung.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum holds a number of important exhibitions including China-Paris: A Retrospective on Chinese Artists in France; Dada – Forever Avant Garde; and Lee Shih-chiao – A Retrospective.

A History of Taiwanese Art Under Japanese Rule by Hsieh Li-fa is published. Hsieh, a Taiwanese artist living in the United States for twenty-four years, returns for his first exhibition in Taiwan.

1989

Taipei County Cultural Center’s Modern Ceramics Hall opens.

National Taiwan University establishes a Graduate School of Art History.

IT Park Gallery, an alternative art space, is established in Taipei.

Apartment No 2, an alternative art space, is established in Taipei.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum opens its basement display area for regular experimental art exhibitions.

Artist Wu Tien-chang displays his works, “On Chiang Kai-shek’s Rule” and “On Deng Xiaoping’s Rule” at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

Yang Mao-lin displays a series of oil paintings, Made in Taiwan, at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

1991

Hung Hsi Art Museum opens.

Works from the National Palace Museum are displayed in the United States.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum organizes an important exhibition, Taipei-New York, A Modern Art Encounter.

Senior artist Yang San-lang establishes a museum in Taipei for the display of his own works.

The art group Apartment No 2 holds Apartment Exhibition at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

1992

Senior artist Lee Shih-chiao establishes a museum in Taipei for the display of his own works.

1993

The policy Detailed Measures for the Sponsorship of Cultural Events goes into effect. This policy requires the developers of any publicly-owned building to put aside 1% of total construction cost for the purchase of art works.

Artist Teng Li-tseng participates in the Whitney Biennial in the United States.

Artist Lee Ming-sheng is invited to participate in the 45^th Venice Biennale in Italy.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum organizes an exhibition, New Perspectives in Taiwanese Art, which offers a comprehensive introduction to the artistic developments in Taiwan during 1946-1990.

1994

Senior artist Lee Tze-pan establishes a museum to display his own works.

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts opens.

1995

Taipei Fine Arts Museum participates in the Venice Biennale for the first time.

Art Taiwan is planned with works shown by the artists Lien Te-cheng, Ma-li Wu, Huang Chin-ho, Hou Chun-ming and Huang Chih-yang.

Opening of a Memorial Hall to the senior artist Lee Mei-shu.

The 1^st International Art Fair is held at the World Trade Center in Taipei.

1996

Establishment of the National Culture and Arts Foundation, designed to become a major source of funds and sponsorship for art and culture related activities.

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts organizes a Retrospective of Work by Chao Wu-chi.

Hsiung Shih Art Monthly stops publication, ending 25 years of involvement in the local art scene.

1997

Establishment of the Tainan National College of the Arts.

1998

The Taipei Biennial: Realm of Passion marks the first time a foreign curator is invited to curate an exhibition in Taiwan.

1999

Taipei Municipal Government establishes a Cultural Affairs Bureau. As a result, oversight of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is transferred to the new Bureau, as opposed to the previous Education Bureau.

Establishment of the ROC Art Critics’ Association.

2000

The Democratic People’s Party (DPP) wins the presidential election and takes office, ending the KMT’s one party fifty-year monopoly of political power in Taiwan.

Compiled by Lou Shu-jun and Liu Mei-ling.