Rainbow Pearl 彩虹之珠
Acrylic on canvas, Size 30" x 24", Year 2010

Lapis Lazuli beads are the traditional treasure and most well known handicraft of the Pai- wan tribe in Taiwan. This is not only because of the rich striking colours, but also due to the traditional values attached to the art as important family heirlooms. All beads are hand made, and each has its own name and represents a specific mythology. A tear shaped design on the bead can represent the Tears of the Sun, while a multi-coloured cylindrical bead represents the rainbow.

In this painting, the beauty of the Lapis Lazuli highlighted unusually against the back of this modern Paiwan woman brings tradition and modernity together, showing that mythological art can cross into the modern world of fashion and can give meaning for all generations.

琉璃珠藝術,是排灣族最具特色的傳統瑰寶!由於其色澤古拙華美,又兼具豐富的文化意涵,常被族人視 之為傳家之寶。純手工打造的珠子每顆都有ㄧ個名字,且代表著ㄧ個神化故事,多彩的叫彩虹珠,有圓圈 圖形的叫太陽的眼淚。 圖中的女子,以獨特的背部角度去呈現琉璃珠的美, 宜古宜今!將排灣族藝術帶入了現代時尚的領域,更見證了琉璃珠的永恆魅力!