TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) Adjunct Professor Wou Jung-mei (吳榮梅) won gold in the Muse Design Awards and Muse Photography Awards.
In a press release, NTUST said the Muse Design Awards celebrate design excellence across multiple disciplines and recognize outstanding works.
Wou’s “Alchemy Garden” is a series of sculptures that embody the principle of practicing social values through aesthetics and won the professor two gold awards, per CNA. The series includes four sculptures: “Flying, Eternity,” “Heart of the Maze,” and “Metamorphosis.”
“These works express concerns about rapid consumption patterns and resultant waste, reflecting a commitment to sustainability,” Wou explained.
Wou added the increasing demand for electronic devices and their low recycling rates is concerning.
"’Alchemy Garden’ aims to highlight humanity’s reverence for nature, drawing inspiration from natural organisms," she said. “Metamorphosis symbolizes transformation and alludes to the alchemy of recycling and renewal.”
In addition to her sculptures, Wou also used photography to reinterpret her sculptures, capturing them under special lighting and environmental conditions to create pure light trajectories. Her photo series, including “Soaring Beyond Limits,” “Galaxy,” “Dandelion F antasia,” and “The Winged Nike,” garnered 11 gold awards from the Muse Photography Awards, reported CNA.
After completing her studies abroad and returning to Taiwan, Wou said she has dedicated herself to both creating art and teaching at NTUST. Through her teaching, she not only imparts knowledge but also shares her creative experiences, fostering a mutually enriching environment for her students.