Photography centered on Indigenous peoples contains a rich cultural history and deep self-identity. The "My Indigenous Viewpoint" photography forum will be held on Indigenous Peoples' Day this year at the National Center of Photography and Images, inviting everyone to explore the possibilities of Indigenous peoples creating photography from their own perspectives.
This forum specially invites Zeng Qiong-Hui, Deputy Manager of the Cultural Marketing Department of the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, curator Liu Xiao-Hui, and artists Tian Ming-Zhang and Jin Cheng-Cai to share their insights and experiences from the "Indigenous Photography Exhibition: Compound Eyes - Tribal Imagery" empowerment project. This project, which lasted three months, allowed participants to trace the historical context of Indigenous photography through courses and conduct on-site photography of tribal life. Through the lenses of the participants, the true contemporary life of Indigenous peoples was revealed.
The "Silent Gunshots" series by Bunun photographer Jin Cheng-Cai was featured in this forum. (Image / Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Republic of China)
In the past, images of Indigenous peoples were often used as tools of "the other gaze," with little representation from self-perspectives. This forum aims to cultivate a new generation of Indigenous photographers, encouraging them to draw inspiration from history and develop their own visual language. The "Compound Eyes" photography exhibition, launched by the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation last year, is one of the outcomes of these efforts, opening up new possibilities for Indigenous photographic creation.
Additionally, the National Center of Photography and Images will host the "Self-Images in Multiple Mirrors" exhibition, showcasing the works of young Indigenous artist Lale'an Balaqwan (Guo Yue-Yang). The exhibition focuses on themes of tribal land, culture, and sustainable life, highlighting the diversity of ethnic groups, gender, and cultural identities. Through photographic creation, it explores self-identity and reflects the rich multicultural essence of Taiwan.
The "My Indigenous Viewpoint" forum and the concurrent exhibitions are not only cultural exchanges but also profound explorations of self-identity. Through these activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context of Indigenous peoples and reflect on how to use images as a medium to express an authentic and rich self-identity. For more details about the events, please visit the official website and social media platforms of the National Center of Photography and Images: ncpi.ntmofa.gov.tw 。
