Atayal artist Miru Hayung shares journey with art and dreams for the future

Описание: Taiwan has many rich artistic traditions. Today we meet Atayal tribe painter Miru Hayung. His paintings, inspired by Taiwan’s indigenous Atayal culture, feature a unique rounded style that fans find calming and peaceful. He’s famous for his public installation “Flourishing On and On.” It can be seen at the Atayal Story Park in Luofu Hot Springs District in Taoyuan. We spoke to Hayung about his inspirations and dreams for the future.

Bright paintings marked by soft, flowing lines bring a feeling of peace to viewers. This is the work of Miru Hayung.

Miru Hayung
Artist
I’ve been interested in painting since I was a child. But after my studies, the work I’ve done hasn’t been connected to painting. But I’ve always been trying to paint.

The name “Miru” means “write” or “draw” in the Atayal language. He’s always loved drawing, and studied commercial design in high school. In those days he favored a realistic drawing style. But in 2007, he started using bright blocks of color and bolder lines.

Miru Hayung
Artist
Some indigenous topics don’t have to be so concrete. I hope that through creative expression I can attract people’s attention.

But Hayung’s creative work isn’t just on canvas. He also creates large-scale installation art and murals. His favorite work is this depiction of Atayal fishing traps and seafaring culture, entitled “Flourishing On and On.”

Miru Hayung
Artist
“Flourishing On and On” was the very first thing that touched me. So I hope that future works can also “flourish on and on.”

Hayung’s unique style has been fed by attending many exhibitions and studying many other artists’ work. And indigenous life is a major source of inspiration.

Miru Hayung
Artist
Things belonging to the Atayal, both the natural world and things we use at home in daily life.

Hayung’s own restaurant is so full of paintings it’s like an art gallery. One day he hopes to found an art gallery for his tribe, to help pass down the Atayal artistic traditions and see them “flourish on and on.”