By Carlotta Mohamed
Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing celebrated its Fifth Annual Orchid Exhibit last week with a stunning exotic display of over 400 pots of exquisite Taiwanese orchids which was open to the public to participate in fun orchid arts activities while learning about Taiwanese culture.
Taiwan: A World of Orchids Exhibit from Aug. 17-19 highlighted Taiwanese culture and featured the magnificent “Gold Orchid” sculpture by well-known Taiwanese artist Erh Ping Tsai and art by the North America Taiwanese Women’s Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to culture and peace promotions through arts and education of Taiwanese local traditions. Visitors were able to participate in activities such as a watercolor workshop and purchase an orchid to take home.
“Our typical Taiwanese orchids are an exotic breed which were specialized in Hawaii and flown to New York for our exhibition,” said Pauline Huang, botanical garden board chairwoman. “This year we’re very happy to invite the artists from the North America Taiwanese Women’s Association with 35 pieces of art collaborated with the orchids representing the natural and artistic beauty of Taiwan.”
Designed by Paul Moreno and drawing inspiration from Taiwan’s landscape, including rivers, mountains, jungles, and coastal plain terrains, this year’s displays were located in the Meeting Room and Auditorium of the Visitor and Administration Building at the botanical garden titled “The Coastal Lawlands to the Sea,” and “Orchid Cloud.”
According to Lily Hsu, ambassador and director general of Taipei and Economic Culture in New York, the Taiwanese were among the first immigrants who came to Queens, and contributed “immensely to the development and prosperity of their adopted home.”
“This vibrant community still has a strong presence, and I think this exhibition is a fair fitting testament to the special relationship between Queens and Taiwan,” said Hsu. “The U.S. is also Taiwan’s largest orchid export destination. Given the U.S. strict standards, it shows the competitiveness and quality of Taiwan’s orchids.”
Hsu added that she hopes visitors will be inspired to visit the beautiful island of Taiwan.
“It’s a really great opportunity to bring everyone to the Queens Botanical Garden to explore nature and see all that Queens Botanical has to offer…it really does show off the best of Queens in the heart of Flushing,” said state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing).
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
