2023
About the Program
Canadian painter Mat is good at finding art inspiration from nature. He listens to the whispers of mountains, flowers, birds, and animals, and transforms them into colours on on canvas, or creating shapes on clay. A self-portrait opens up his story and conveys his mysterious connection with nature.
Violinist Tom has been exposed to classical music since he was in his mother’s womb. Kindness is his armour against any setbacks. Having grown up in Taiwan, he will always miss his hometown, despite Canada being the place of nourishment for his love of life and society.
When Taiwanese folk songs meet the freehand scenery of Canada, a myriad of emotions arise. Let’s find comfort in these infinite colours and melodies of our summer afternoons.
The creations of these two artists incorporate the essence of multiculturalism, making people feel inspired and beautiful from nature and different cultures. Their works and music have become a bridge of cultural exchange, allowing us to swim in the ocean of art and respect, and appreciate values and viewpoints from all over the world.
Through these music performances, Tom uses the magical power of music to inspire people’s physical and mental recovery and transformation, and at the same time inspire everyone’s inner strength and growth potential.
Tom immigrated to Canada from Taiwan in 2003 and is currently a violinist of West Coast Symphony and Harmonia String Ensemble in Vancouver. Inspired by the infectious power of music, he often thinks on the question: “Does the audience need to go to the concert hall to enjoy performances?”
A few years ago, he became a volunteer at Burnaby Hospital. He comforts family members and patients with “moving melodies” accompanied by violin. His repertoire is chosen with care, such as songs from the 1940s to the 1970s for nursing home patients, Disney cartoon songs to cheer up children in the Montreal Children’s Hospice, and relevant music in mourning for the victims of Indian Residential Schools. During the pandemic, Tom created a project called “A Letter to Covid”: paintings created by 60 elders who were quarantined at home was paired with a violin soundtrack.
Through these music performances, Tom used the magical power of music to inspire people’s physical and mental healing, and at the same time uplift people’s inner strength and potential for growth.
Mat Holmstrom is an artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Born in Banff, and growing up in the small French community of Beaumont, Alberta, Holmstrom’s interest in art and culture grew after having the opportunity to travel to major art hubs such as New York, London, Paris, and San Francisco. Artists such as David Hockney, Jack Shadbolt, Gordon Smith, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and many more have all inspired Holmstrom’s prolific creativity.
Holmstrom’s work explores a diverse range of subject matter including history, nature, popular culture, symbolism, the human condition, and abstract thought. Rich colour palettes and expressive layering of shape and texture lend to the dynamic nature of his work. Ceramic sculpture, carved pottery, and painting are the primary mediums used. He has participated in many group and solo exhibitions across British Columbia, with pieces in private collections throughout North America.
After attending the Alberta College of Art & Design and MacEwan University – where he studied both traditional and contemporary art and design – he relocated to Vancouver to continue his commitment to developing personal art philosophies and practices. He currently operates an art studio that is open to visitors, instructs kids and adults at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, and sat on the board of the East Side Arts Society for several years where he helped coordinate Studio 101 – a program dedicated to supporting diverse and engaging artistic experiences for Vancouver’s inner-city youth.
From the Curating Team
Curating community performances at TAIWANfest is like painting a self-portrait, constantly questioning Taiwanese culture's role in a Canadian festival. With these community performances, we aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue and break down ethnic barriers, highlighting Canada’s diverse society.
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TAIWANfest Vancouver is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered here, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples of this land while we engage in meaningful conversations of culture and reconciliation.