In response to the controversy caused by the painting ‘Taiwan’s First Female President Tsai Ing-wen’,

the Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center said that, after the exhibition curation team has discussed the matter with Mr. He,

the Center respects the originality of art and the opinions of the painter,

and hopes that others can see the simplicity and beauty of Liudui’s Hakka village from the displayed artworks.

The Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center pointed out that a total of 97 pieces of work by Mr. He has been displayed at the special exhibition ‘The Pioneer – Wenqi He’s Artistic Life’,

amongst which, ‘Taiwan’s First Female President Tsai Ing-wen’ was only finished in 2016,

the painting paid tribute and imitation to the French romantic master-painter, Eugène Delacroix’s La Liberté guidant le peuple.

The Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center said that, as Mr. He was unable to continue painting due to his physical condition upon completion of the piece,

the art piece holds certain meaning in his artistic life, which explains for the display of which in the exhibition.

He also respects the views of all, but hopes that others can see the simplicity and beauty of Liudui’s Hakka village from the displayed artworks.