Department for Youth, Taipei City Government(青年局英文網)

Since its establishment in June 2024, the Taipei City Government’s Department for Youth has launched the Domestic and International Youth Artist Exchange Program, inviting three young graffiti artists from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain to Taipei from late November 2024 to February 2025. During their residency, they conducted field research in local communities, co-created murals with residents of Ding Shuo Li in Wanhua District, and depicted Taiwan’s baseball culture at Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Among their works, one of the most eye-catching is a mural at the hippo bath in Taipei Zoo, where graffiti art has added a fresh artistic touch to the zoo’s landscape. Today (22nd), the Department for Youth hosted the "Dream Up, Paint Out." Graffiti Art Exchange Event at Taipei Zoo, allowing families and art enthusiasts to witness the artists' creative process up close and experience spray painting firsthand.

The three international artists participating in this exchange program each showcased their unique styles and creative concepts. FLEKS, a renowned graffiti artist from the Netherlands, enriched Taipei’s urban landscape by illustrating Taiwan’s baseball culture and the journey of life at Tianmu Baseball Stadium. ORBITA, a Spanish artist known for his graffiti works worldwide, greeted Taipei with a massive, adorable hippo mural. Meanwhile, ENOFone from Belgium collaborated with residents near a lively ginger duck restaurant in Ding Shuo Li, incorporating local historical elements into a mural that visually transcends time and memory.

During their residency, the artists engaged with over 50 Taiwanese graffiti artists, exchanging creative ideas and interacting deeply with local residents, young artists, and art communities. This cross-border art exchange not only established Taipei as a creative hub for international youth artists but also fostered cultural dialogue, leaving behind unique and cherished artistic memories in the city's urban spaces.

Spanish artist ORBITA was particularly impressed by Taipei Zoo’s conservation efforts during his stay, drawing inspiration from the zoo’s large hippo sculptures and natural landscapes. Additionally, with the arrival of Thabo ("Tang Bao"), a pygmy hippo from Singapore Zoo in 2025, ORBITA decided to dedicate his mural to the hippo. He created a vibrant, close-up portrait of a hippo, aiming to convey the significance of life education and animal conservation through his artwork.

Today’s "Dream Up, Paint Out." event at Taipei Zoo featured a giant, adorable hippo mural, providing an interactive space for art and animal lovers to experience spray painting. The event brought together key figures from the art and community sectors, including Lin Yi-jun, Artistic Director of Tang Feng Art, Wen Zong-lin, Chief of Ding Shuo Li, representatives from the Wei Chuan Dragons professional baseball team, Zheng Zi-jing, head of the Citymarx graffiti team, and graffiti artists Song, ALLO, ASERK, and GARE. Their participation highlighted the spirit of artistic freedom and creativity.

According to Commissioner Wei Yin of the Department for Youth, international exchanges are like a blank check, and when combined with meaningful themes, they become even more impactful. Since its establishment, the Department for Youth has been actively promoting global collaborations, and this year’s artist exchange program is a key initiative to invite more international artists to Taipei. Commissioner Yin cited the collaboration with Chief Wen of Ding Shuo Li, where old neighborhood memories were woven into a mural, allowing residents to actively participate in creating community art. Additionally, murals at Tianmu Baseball Stadium and Taipei Zoo serve as testaments to the diverse international artistic presence now embedded within the city. He emphasized that through these international art exchanges, Taipei will no longer be seen as just a modern metropolis but rather a city bursting with creative freedom, beauty, and rich cultural depth.

To continue fostering cross-cultural youth exchanges and transform Taipei into a dynamic platform for both domestic and international young artists, the Department for Youth will expand the Artist Exchange Program this year, selecting more international artists to reside in Taipei, explore its stories, and engage with local youth and schools. Together, they will compose an even more diverse and vibrant artistic symphony for the city.