ARNO COENEN ARTWORKS ENHANCE TAIWAN’S HUANNAN MARKET
Three large-scale public artworks by the Dutch artist Arno Coenen transform the Huannan Market in Taipei, Taiwan, into a cultural landscape. The art project, titled ‘The Flavour Dragon’, designed by the same artist behind the world-renowned Horn of Plenty at Markthal in Rotterdam, is a cross-cultural collaboration between Taiwan and the Netherlands, bridging innovative artistic approaches with traditional craftsmanship and aesthetics.
Hosted by Taipei’s central food hub, the public artworks include a six-meter-tall dragon sculpture, a series of eight large ceramic plates, and a printed ceramic mural depicting cultural landmarks in Taiwan. The works were developed through a dynamic creative process with the participation of market vendors, local people, and students, to promote cultural exchange and community co-creation.
‘Auspicious Dragon’ sculpture by Arno Coenen at Huannan Market in Taipei | all images courtesy of Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government
CROSS-CULTURAL COLLABORATION FOR ARTISTIC REALM
Commissioned by the Taipei City Government Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Taipei City Market Administration Office, the initiative fosters a cross-cultural collaboration between Arno Coenen and Taiwanese craftspeople. Traditional ceramic techniques, mosaics, and hand-painted porcelain are reshaped in a contemporary context to transform the market space into an artistic realm. The project portrays the market’s future vision blended with the Dutch artist’s contemporary work, integrating digital art, local culture, and traditional craftsmanship.
Huannan Market in Taipei City, Taiwan
‘THE FLAVOUR DRAGON’ FOSTERS COLLECTIVE CRAFT IN PUBLIC ART
‘The Flavour Dragon’ project consists of three interconnected works that showcase craftsmanship, technology, and community participation in an artistic ensemble, reflecting the market’s daily life. The ‘Auspicious Dragon’ is a six-meter-tall sculpture created with the participation of teachers and students from Taipei Municipal Dali High School. It symbolizes vitality and prosperity by representing the breadth of flavors available in the market in Koji pottery, mosaic, and stainless steel structural reinforcements.
A series of eight large ceramic plates adorn the market’s staircase wall. Titled ‘Taste of Huannan’, the series illustrates a day in the life of market vending—from early morning sourcing of produce right up to the dining table in the evening. The motifs were suggested by market vendors and public voting, and they capture human stories and everyday food culture. Produced by artisan potter Chang Mei-Yun, the plates feature the traditional application of fahua ware, a type of low-temperature overglaze enamel ceramics originating in the Yuan–Ming period.
‘Taste of Huannan’ showcases a series of eight large ceramic plates
On the second floor, ‘Urban Impressions’ ceramic mural depicts cultural landmarks such as Longshan Temple, the Red House in Ximending, and Taipei 101. It extends to major agricultural and fishing regions, including Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, highlighting the market as a national distribution hub and cultural nexus. The ceramic panel also invites visitors to find hidden easter eggs, with its subtle incorporation of references to the Rotterdam artist. With this artistic activation, the Department of Cultural Affairs is strengthening Taiwan cross-cultural connections and encouraging everyone to take part.
‘Urban Impressions’ rich in playful details