Rukai artist Eleng Luluan is an expert in creating mixed media sculpture and environment-based art installations. Her works often tackle the issues of women and environments that exemplify indigenous people’s pursuit of cultural identity. Where Souls are Hung, exhibited in the Kaohsiung Indigenous Hub, is rich in creativity and demonstrates indigenous lifestyles.
Before the public cemetery policy was introduced during Japanese Rule, the Rukai traditionally buried their deceased indoors, giving birth to the Rukai word “Takelandhane Ki abake” (home/house). This word means “where souls are hung.” Eleng transformed this notion of home/house into a lily-like streamlined design, the spiritual symbol of the Rukai people, symbolizing a uterus giving birth to life. Dew on the tip of a flower petal is tied closely to spiritual concepts that indicate cultural change and transmission.
出生於屏東好茶部落的魯凱族藝術家安聖惠(Eleng Luluan峨冷‧魯魯安)，擅長複合媒材雕塑與環境裝置創作，作品經常關注女性與環境議題，並從中體現原住民族的文化追尋與認同，除了高美館的作品《安‧聖‧惠》廣為知曉外，這件位於高雄市原住民故事館的作品《心靈懸掛的地方》也同樣具有豐富的原民色彩與創作語彙。
日治時期推行公墓政策之前，魯凱族的傳統喪葬方式為室內葬，因此「家屋」(Takelandhane Ki abake)這個魯凱語詞彙，本意即為「靈魂的懸掛之處」。藝術家將家屋轉化為流線造型，有如孕育生命的子宮與魯凱族精神標誌的百合花，花瓣尖端的露珠形象，則緊扣懸掛靈魂的核心語彙，傳達文化變遷與傳承之意象。
作品名稱：心靈懸掛的地方Where Souls are Hung
作者：安聖惠 Eleng Luluan
創作年份：2009
材質尺寸：鋼板塑形、晶土色片拼貼、水泥、鋼筋 / 500x600cm
設置地點：高雄市原住民故事館(高雄市前鎮區翠亨北路390號)