Have you heard of Huang Pin Tong, Taiwan's most acclaimed sculptor of the moment? Known for her distinctive works that combine baby feet with fruits, clouds, and other elements, she is an artist who creates healing sculptures based on her philosophy of "roundness and fullness."

This talented sculptor will be holding a duo exhibition, Portraits in Bloom, with Sachiko Kamiki starting January 9th. This special opportunity will feature the debut of her new “Dragon Fruit” series. What is the secret behind Huang Pin Tong's popularity in Taiwan? We spoke with OMine Chang, Space Manager of Whitestone Gallery Taipei, about her captivating appeal.

- What do you consider to be the appeal of Huang Pin Tong's work?

Chang: The core appeal lies in her philosophy of "roundness and fullness." These "Healing" (Iyashi) forms are incredibly lush and comforting, allowing her work to stand out distinctly among contemporary artists.

One of her most recognizable hallmarks is the delicate depiction of soft, infantile feet. Even though her sculptures are faceless, viewers can poignantly feel their emotions — the dimples and rosy hues on chubby knees, or a slightly upturned big toe that conveys a sense of bashful joy. This absence of facial features is intentional; it creates a boundless "imaginative space" for the observer.

Furthermore, her sophisticated use of color and the "hidden surprises" in her details —such as the interplay of light and shadow from different angles, subtle shifts in color, and even the tiny touch of nail polish on a toe — add a layer of exquisite craftsmanship.

Huang Pin Tong “Unveiling Limitless Hope” 2025, 30.0 × 29.0 × 46.0cm, Acrylic on camphor wood

- What aspects of Huang Pin Tong's personality or approach to her creative practice do Taiwanese fans particularly connect with?

Chang: Having observed Pin-Tong closely for a long time, I find her “integrity" — the consistency between her words and her actions — to be her most magnetic trait. The visual language of her work perfectly mirrors her composed demeanor and her sudden, delightful flashes of humor during her artist talks (for example, her piece Unveiling Limitless Hope, which pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe). This rarity of character is a key factor in her dedicated "die-hard" fan base.

Another fascinating aspect — one that many admire without knowing the full story — is her absolute obsession with detail. Whether it is the carving of light, the nuance of color, the precision of realistic techniques, or even the photography and exhibition layout, she displays a level of fastidiousness that far exceeds the average artist. Conversely, in her daily life, she is famously "clumsy" or a "lifestyle klutz" (as her husband jokingly puts it).

Huang Pin Tong “A Leisurely Morning” 2025, 38.0 × 31.5 × 27.0cm, Acrylic on camphor wood

- How do Taiwanese audiences (general visitors, collectors, and critics) typically respond to Huang Pin Tong's work?

Chang: I can say with confidence that critics and industry professionals alike agree: "Pin-Tong is the most representative figure of Taiwan’s mid-career sculptors." She was the pioneer of the "healing style" that swept through the Taiwanese art industry, a trend that gained global momentum post-pandemic. Her work represents not just the rise of a woodcarving collection trend in Taiwan, but a profound market response to the desire for emotional solace.

Before her first duo exhibition at Whitestone Gallery in 2022, I heard from collectors that they had to wait over two years to acquire her small-scale works (under 20cm). In response to the vast space of Whitestone, she demonstrated a masterful command over large-scale sculpture. These larger pieces offer her more room for expression, where the power, color coordination, and detail surpass even her smaller works. Her main visual pieces for two consecutive exhibitions were successfully acquired by major collectors.

Notably, she possesses the rare "soft power" to not only retain seasoned collectors but also to attract entirely new audiences. Her work is so accessible and endearing that many first-time buyers choose a Huang Pin-Tong piece as their very first art acquisition.

"Would you let Pin-Tong be your first-ever collection?"

Huang Pin Tong “Celebration of Abundance” 2025, 36.0 × 21.6 × 28.0cm, Acrylic on camphor wood

- From the perspective of the Taiwanese market and gallery operations, what do you think would be an effective angle or hook for introducing Huang Pin Tong's work to Japanese audiences?

Chang: For her first formal overseas exhibition in Tokyo, Pin-Tong has introduced a new motif: the dragon fruit. While extending her signature "full and round" aesthetic, she utilizes the vivid colors of this unique fruit to showcase the passion of Taiwan. This demonstrates not only her superb carving technique but also her mastery of color — vibrant yet elegant, never gaudy.

Additionally, her "realistic technique" is a compelling hook. While hyper-realism may not always be the dominant trend in the current market, collectors still cherish works that combine unique creative concepts with rigorous technical skill. Pin-Tong has the exceptional ability to merge these two worlds.

Having spent years as an assistant in the studio of the renowned realist sculptor Yang Bei-Chen, those years deeply influenced her practice. Through her unique lens, she finds a perfect "Goldilocks" balance between realism and figurative abstraction within her swollen, inflated forms. For instance, in the Marilyn Monroe tribute mentioned earlier, the dragon fruit seeds look like the patterns on a little girl’s underwear. From a distance, they appear as simple black dots; up close, they are slightly raised, plump fruits. This effortless ingenuity breathes life into her work, making it truly vivid.

Huang Pin Tong “Unveiling Limitless Hope” 2025, 30.0 × 29.0 × 46.0cm, Acrylic on camphor wood

The healing power of Huang Pin Tong's works cannot be fully expressed in words. The silent messages conveyed by her rounded little feet, the Taiwanese passion embedded in the vibrant colors of dragon fruit, and the space for imagination that resides in each viewer's heart—experiencing all of these firsthand is surely the true pleasure of this exhibition.

This is the first full-scale exhibition in Japan by Taiwan's representative sculptor. Along with her new "Dragon Fruit" series, we encourage you to witness with your own eyes the story of "blooming" that she weaves.

Portraits in Bloom：Sachiko Kamiki & Huang Pin Tong