Ms. Esther Wu, wife of Ambassador Charles C. Li of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Myanmar, held a “Grateful to meet you!” exhibition at their residence in Yangon on February 10, 2023. About 50 pieces of watercolor and multimedia paintings, leather handbags and jewelry designs were exhibited. Over 60 people attended the event, including friends from foreign embassies and the Taiwanese community. They were all surprisingly amazed by her “hidden” artistic talent.
Ms. Wu was interviewed by local media at the scene. The Standard Time Daily published a special report on her, titled “Taiwanese Artist Esther Wu fulfills her dream in Yangon,” on February 21, 2023.
Ms. Esther Wu graduated from the Department of Chinese Literature of Providence University in Taiwan. She studied fashion design in Los Angeles. She also studied at the Gemological Institute of America for the Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma, and became a certified gem appraiser and jewelry designer.
Ms. Wu joined Ambassador Li in Myanmar since January 2020. Due to the double impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and political turmoil in Myanmar, she rarely traveled; instead, during that period, in addition to reading a lot of Buddhist scriptures and books concerning spiritual-growth subjects, she also signed up for online painting courses and actively engaged in artistic creation. Most of the paintings showcased in the exhibit are glimpses of her childhood in Taiwan and daily life experience in Yangon, which have traces of inspiration by the local environment, religion and customs.
“In Myanmar, I have met many beautiful people, encountered wonderful things, and gained precious friendships. The flowers, trees, insects, and birds in the natural landscape near my residence in Yangon have given joy and excitement, and sometimes inner peace – there’s never a dull moment in my daily life. I am truly grateful to come to this land of Buddhism, to meet the Myanmar people. My three years of living in Yangon has enhanced myself in body, mind and spirit as a whole!” said Ms. Wu in an interview with local media.
An exclusive interview report on Taiwanese artist Esther Wu published by the Standard Time Daily on February 21, 2023.
