The Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery, located in Qiaotou District, Kaohsiung City, was established in 1901, marking it as Taiwan's first modernized industrial complex. In 2001, the Kio-A-Thau Culture and History Association partnered with artists to transform this historic industrial site into a cultural preservation base, and launched the first phase of the "Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village" residency program. Since 2008, the residency has been fully funded and operated by ByWood Co., Ltd., a private entity, which ensured the continuous promotion of artist residencies and cultural development.
The Artist Residency Network, Taiwan, invites Mr. Ho Cheng-Yi, the manager of the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village, to share the site's history and culture, as well as artistic resources and the factors considered when selecting resident artists. Meanwhile, we will feature two artists who previously held residencies here, Lama Motis and Kao An-Bo. They will share their views on the village during their time there. We hope their perspectives will provide insight for artists considering a residency at this location.
New Life for Old Factories: An Art Hub for Cross-Disciplinary Exchange
Five Key Advantages of the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village
I. A Century of History: Witness to the Past
The Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery was the Taiwan Sugar Company's first sugar manufacturing plant established during the Japanese rule. It was also Taiwan's first modern sugar manufacturing plant. The refinery ceased to produce sugar in 1999, and was designated as a historic site by the Kaohsiung County Government in 2002. Historical structures such as the refinery itself and its Japanese-style wooden dormitories remain well-preserved today. Through adaptive reuse, the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village has gradually developed core focus areas such as cultural heritage, environmental education, vernacular aesthetics, and art collection. This transformation not only carries the legacy of Taiwan's modernized sugar industry but also positions the refinery as a vital experimental base for cultural assets and creative industries in Southern Taiwan.
II. The Intersection of Art and Local Revitalization
Manager Ho Cheng-Yi explained that each year, when selecting resident artists, the committee intentionally includes professionals from diverse fields, such as educational scholars, curators, and former resident artists. What's most unique is the inclusion of a local cultural representative. This is because the operation of the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village remains inseparable from local revitalization, mandating that it breathe and grow alongside local cultural issues, community contexts, and regional development.
"Sweet land, engaged people, and art with heart." The village has fostered continuous interaction with the local community. Moved by the local story and the environment, one artist created a script titled The Rite to the Earth God. This stands as a prime example of the seamless combination of art, community, and environment, writing another memorable chapter for the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village.
III. Diverse Spaces for Creative Synergy
The Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village expanded its grounds in 2018. In addition to the original ByWood reception, it added the Rain Tree Theater. The expansion allows more young artists, especially after their graduation or when planning future careers, to use the village as a space for practice and exploration. When artists take up residency, the village also offers several existing refinery warehouses, factory buildings, and dormitories as their living and creative spaces. Subsidies from the MOC Operation Directions for Sponsoring Artist Villages have not only given these cultural assets a chance for revitalization but have also fostered exchange and resonance among artists, the refinery, and the local community, sparking diverse possibilities.
Artist Kao An-Bo shared his experience, detailing how he ventured deep into the sugar factory. He followed the former work routes of factory laborers, transforming these routes into the creative context for his work. During his research, he also observed how man-made structures gradually evolve into spaces coexisting with nature over time. Furthermore, the industrial relics, such as factory slogans, evaporators, and crushing machines, became crucial inspirations for his creations.
IV. Network Expansion and Professional Exchange
Manager Ho Cheng-Yi noted that, through years of cultivation, the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village has accumulated rich networks and resources. When artists are in residence, the village encourages them to work with different associations. To facilitate this, they arrange for artists to venture beyond the refinery to visit art clusters or private studios across Southern Taiwan. This approach allows mutual learning and interaction, ultimately helping artists to establish enduring professional relationships.
Artist Lama Motis shared his resident experience, stating that he met numerous excellent artists, which greatly inspired his practice. He emphasized the rare opportunity to discuss topics of concern with fellow artists from various disciplines. As each artist focused on different aspects, it provided him with new entry points for his work and thinking, while revealing perspectives he had overlooked. Following his residency, he even chose to extend his stay briefly to continue working on new creations at the village.
V. A Nexus for Artistic Realization
The distinctive feature of the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village is its deep integration with the community. Through the participation of local groups and elders, artists can quickly assimilate into the environment, drawing local stories and memories. The village is not merely a part of the community's art history; it is a bridge that connects the community and artists, enabling both parties to translate and create works focused on local development and public issues together.
In addition, the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery Artist Village hosts the Bu-Dong Art Festival at the end of the year annually. The term Bu-Dong originates from the autumn/winter sugar harvesting season, a time when the industry sees a large influx of labor. Borrowing this imagery, the village invites the public to participate during the mild days of the fall and winter. The Bu-Dong Art Festival features diverse activities, including exhibitions, presentations, lectures, concerts, markets, and workshops. Former resident artists are also invited back to hold exhibitions, presenting their creative journey through different timeframes and residency experiences. In this way, visitors to the Kio-A-Thau Sugar Refinery can not only enjoy refreshments and relaxation but also naturally encounter and experience its rich artistic energy.
Source: Lama Motis, Kao An-Bo, ByWood Co., Ltd.
Edited: Brix
