The Taiwanese diligent, hardworking attitude and ability to endure hardship are often described as “Taiwanese water buffalo” characteristics. Outside the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, an installation titled “Taiwan Water Buffalo” is seen. This was created by mechanic and artist Liu Ting-tsan using iron and steel, elements prevalently used by Kaohsiung industries, to reflect the working spirit, the Kaohsiung iron and steel industry, as well as symbolizing Kaohsiung citizens’ tough and vigorous dispositions. This piece fully reflects the characteristics, humanitarian culture, and social customs of Kaohsiung.
「牛吃草,總是往前走,不會回頭。說是直也好,說是笨也好,但生在多難的土地上,做為台灣牛,穩穩地一步一步向前走去,是需要無畏的勇氣的。雖然,老一代不斷地向他的下一代訴說,土地多磨難的歷史,卻不曾停歇帶領向前的腳步。」這是《文學台灣》主編彭瑞金在「台灣牛向前行」一文中,將台灣人工作勤勉、吃苦耐勞性格形容為台灣牛的精神。
黑手藝術家劉丁讚以高雄產業特色─鋼鐵作為創作媒材,打造高雄文化中心大門口外的台灣牛,呼應高雄勞動精神與鋼鐵工業,象徵高雄人堅韌旺盛的生命力,作品充分展現城市特質,也激勵著在這塊土地上努力耕耘的人文風土。
作品名稱:台灣牛 Taiwan Water Buffalo
作者:劉丁讚 Ting-tsan Liu
創作年份:2002
材質:不鏽鋼
設置地點:高雄市文化中心