藝術家吳瓊華
吳瓊華，台灣高雄人。她曾就讀美國南加州大學(U.S.C)，主修藝術教育，受到美國現代藝術的洗禮，之後回台灣考上國立台灣藝術大學造形藝術研究所，並獲得碩士學位。現任美國西南德保羅大學德華藝術學研究所教授、所長，並受聘為台灣彩墨藝術院院士、中美文化藝術交流協會會長、台灣女性現代藝術協會會長等。此外，她經常受邀為各大美展與比賽的評審委員，如高雄市美展、大墩美展、南瀛美展、屏東美展、竹塹美展、苗栗美展、磺溪美展等。
作為藝術家，吳瓊華優越的創作受到藝術界的高度肯定。她的作品以台灣常民文化為主要素材，其中最著名的創作主題是台灣特有的「檳榔西施文化」。檳榔西施是台灣八〇年代經濟起飛時期的產物，指的是一群以性感的裝扮吸引男性顧客的女性服務員。吳瓊華以人性的角度研究這些女性，透過大量田野調查與這些女性進行對話，最後以藝術的形式再現她們的生存環境與精神世界。
吳瓊華作品中的女性角色大都以檳榔西施為原型，但是她的創作題材並不僅止於此，台灣文化的重要元素如廟宇、宗教信仰等，乃至常民生活，都呈現在她的作品中。她的創作風格蘊含著寫實主義的批判與關懷，同時也散發超寫實主義的奇幻異想，欣賞她的畫作，彷彿進入一個瘋狂的異想世界，處處充滿驚喜。
吳瓊華的作品受到收藏家的喜愛，曾獲台灣高雄市立美術館、美國普靈頓大學、美國在台協會(AIT)高雄分處、屏東縣政府文化局等機構以及許多國際收藏家收藏。此外，在台灣與國際拍賣市場中也有亮眼的成績。
收藏：
台灣高雄市立美術館、美國加州州政府前國務卿余江月桂女士、美僑商會、美國洛杉磯X現代美術館、美國加州波莫納市市長、美國普靈敦大學、美國在台協會高雄分處、美國國際銀行、ICA韓國國際文化協會、統一企業集團、宇泰工程顧問有限公司、中國農民銀行、永豐銀行內湖分行、雲林科技大學、建國科技大學、台南縣政府總爺藝術村、屏東縣政府文化局、人本教育文教基金會等以及私人收藏。
吳瓊華：
我的創作之路受到美國現代藝術與前衛藝術的啟發。在從事檳榔西施主題創作的過程中，我開始對女性身體自主權這個議題產生興趣，因此在作品中探討女體、情慾、消費和女性意識。同時我也開始嘗試在創作媒材、展覽場域等面向進行實驗，試圖將作品從美的層次提升到思維層面，改變一般大眾對視覺藝術的傳統看法。作品類型涵蓋平面、立體、裝置藝術和跨領域創作等。
Wu Christian:
My creation was initially inspired by modern and avant-garde art. While exploring the theme of "Betel-Nut Beauty," I developed an interest in feminism and delved into topics such as body autonomy, lust, desire, and women's social consumption. Concurrently, I began experimenting with various mediums and exhibition spaces, aiming to elevate my works from mere aesthetics to philosophical depth, thereby challenging the traditional perception of visual art among the general public. The categories of my works includes two dimensional works, three dimensional works and cross-discipline creation.
About Christian Wu
Christian Wu hails from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. She studied at the University of Southern California (U.S.C), specializing in art education, then earned a master's degree from the National Taiwan University of Arts. Presently she serves as the professor of the Shenghua Institute of Art at DePaul University in the United States. She has also been recognized as an academician of the Taiwan Color Ink Art Academy, the president of the Sino-US Cultural and Art Exchange Association, and the president of the Taiwan Women's Modern Art Association. Additionally, she is frequently invited to serve as a jury member for significant art exhibitions and competitions, such as the Kaohsiung City Art Exhibition, Dadun Art Exhibition, Nanying Art Exhibition, Pingtung Art Exhibition, Zhuqian Art Exhibition, Miaoli Art Exhibition, Wuxi Art Exhibition, among others.
As an artist, Christian Wu's creations have garnered widespread acclaim. Her works predominantly incorporate elements of Taiwanese culture, with the most renowned theme being Taiwan's unique "Betel-Nut Beauty" culture. Originating from Taiwan's economic boom in the 1980s, "Betel-Nut Beauty" refers to a group of female vendors who dress provocatively to attract male clientele. Christian engaged in extensive fieldwork, engaging in conversations with these women, closely studying them, and representing their inner worlds through her art.
While most of the female figures in Wu's works are inspired by betel nut "Betel-Nut Beauty," her creative exploration extends beyond this. She finds great interest in significant elements of Taiwanese culture, such as temples, the religious lives of ordinary people, and even mundane aspects of everyday life, all of which frequently feature in her artworks. Her style blends elements of realism's criticism and empathy with the fantastical realms of surrealism and symbolism. Viewing her paintings is akin to entering a whimsical fantasy realm, where surprises abound at every turn.
Collection:
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
A. I. T. (American Institute in Taiwan)
American Business Association in Taiwan
March Fong Eu, former Secretary of the State of California
American East West Bank
American Purlinton University
National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
Uni-President
Union-Tech Engineering Consultants co.,
Farmers Bank of China
