**Taiwanese Artist Shih Pao Lin’s “One Painting One Prayer – Humanitarian Art Peace Project” Opens in New York**
Taiwanese artist Shih Pao Lin’s exhibition titled “One Painting One Prayer – Humanitarian Art Peace Project” opened on the afternoon of June 21 at the New York Overseas Compatriot Cultural and Educational Service Center and will be on display until June 30. Xu Jiaqing, the Chairman of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, attended the opening ceremony.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24, 2022, Taiwanese artist Shih Pao Lin has been creating one painting each day as part of the “One Painting One Prayer” project to express and spread peace and love. So far, he has painted 849 pieces. Each painting is priced at $500, but donors only need to contribute $100 for each painting, with the remaining $400 being sponsored by Chen Qiugui, the Chairman of the Harmony Foundation, to support humanitarian art. Chairman Xu Jiaqing was the first purchaser of these paintings.
Chairman Xu Jiaqing of the Overseas Community Affairs Council expressed that Taiwanese people living in the United States should show support for the people of Ukraine in their current plight. Due to Taiwan facing threats and challenges from China (CCP), there is high anticipation for world peace to be realized in every corner. She believes that everyone desires to maintain the sovereignty and democratic freedom of their countries, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine and those pursuing freedom and democracy is a matter of mutual understanding. The shared goal is democracy, freedom, and human rights.
Born in Taiwan in 1962, Shih Pao Lin has lived in the United States and Japan for nearly 40 years. He has received over 20 international art awards and was commended by the United Nations as an “outstanding artist.” His “One Painting One Prayer” series features a background of the Ukrainian flag’s yellow and blue colors, with peace doves carrying the sounds of peace and heartfelt prayers throughout the collection, expressing hopes for Ukraine to regain its freedom soon. He founded the “Shield Art Foundation” to practice humanitarianism using brush strokes as arrows and a palette as a shield.
Shih Pao Lin stated that he also paints a “Peace Bell” on the 24th of each month, with each piece being unique, to express his love and longing for peace. On November 8, he will hold an annual fundraising event in Manhattan to raise funds for the next art project, the “Peace Bell Sculpture.” His “Shield Art Foundation” is currently collaborating with local NGOs in Ukraine to collect missile debris, aiming to collect 7 tons of debris. He plans to return to Ukraine next year to cast these 7 tons of debris into a 3-meter-tall “Peace Bell Sculpture,” transforming war weapons into art materials to showcase the artistic power of peace, love, and hope to the world.
**Exhibition Details:**
– Dates: June 21 to June 30, 10 AM to 6 PM daily
– Location: New York Overseas Compatriot Cultural and Educational Service Center (133-32 41st Rd, Flushing, NY 11355)