TNUA will bestow honorary doctorates to five distinguished artists – film director Lee Hsing, set designer Nieh Kuang-yen, Taiwanese Opera actress Liao Chiung-Chih, print artist Wu Hao, and dancer Ross Parkes – in a ceremony on October 18 this year.
Mr. Lee Hsing deserves an important place in Taiwan's film history. He set a record by winning three consecutive Golden Horse Awards for the best feature films (from 1978 to1980).
Over the past 20 years of so, he has been active in promoting film exchange between Taiwan and China.
Mr. Nieh Kuang-yen has designed sets for theatre, dance and music in styles ranging from the traditional to modern. In a career spanning several decades, He has set the stages for the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Performance Workshop, Golden Horse Awards ceremonies, and many other major events.
Mr. Wu Hao is known for a print style that blends traditional folk art into expressions of a sense of nostalgia through vibrant colors and simple shapes. He has won many awards, and his art has been showcased in various countries.
Ms. Liao Chiung-Chih has been devoted to promoting Taiwanese Opera, having presented her art on stage, on the radio and TV in a career spanning half a century.
She has developed a system for teaching Taiwanese Opera, and has also traveled around the country to teach the traditional art.
Mr. Ross Parkes, who was a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, came to Taiwan to teach modern dance at the TNUA in 1984.
During his 21 years at TNUA, he was a devoted teacher, as well as an active participant in the school's productions.