Beginning in March, Taroko National Park is presenting the watercolor exhibition “Heart of the Gorge ”. The artist Lai Shi Hao is a retired headmaster of Jian Ching Elementary School in Wanrong Township of Hualien Township. Pursuing the dream of becoming a painter, headmaster Lai set up a studio in his home and spent his retirement studying watercolor painting.

Lai Shih Hao stated that “Heart of the Gorge ” exhibition displays works created during the past year. To create this series of Taroko Gorge watercolors, he traveled to Taroko countless times to study the rocks, streams, winding rivers and lighting. He also conducted immense studies on the connection between local geology, geomorphology, highway distributions and the shape of the mountains. This exhibition displays 36 works that depict familiar sceneries of the gorge. The charm of the natural scenery also taught Lai about the relation between human beings and the environment, as well as the bond between environment and ecology. Therefore, in these works, he also hopes to express the need for environmental protection and respect.