Taiwanese sculptor Chang Shu-Wei has become the first artist from Taiwan to participate in Symposium Norge, Norway’s international stone sculpture symposium, marking a milestone for Taiwan’s representation at the long-running event.
Held every two years since 1985 in Lavik, western Norway, Symposium Norge brings together ten sculptors from around the world to create large-scale stone sculptures on site. The event has developed a reputation for promoting international artistic exchange while showcasing Norway’s rich stone-working traditions.
For the symposium, Chang is working with Larvikite, Norway’s distinctive rock known for its shimmering blue-grey feldspar crystals and widely used as a decorative building stone.
Reflecting on the creative process, Chang said the project involved experimenting with new techniques inspired by the characteristics of the stone.
“Larvikite is truly exceptional; the industrial machine marks left by the diamond wire saws in the quarry are incredibly beautiful,” the artist said. “I chose to preserve its subtle tectonic textures.”
Rather than extensively reshaping the material, Chang explained that manual fracturing techniques were used to create natural-looking splits that complement the stone’s original appearance.
“I began a journey of over two weeks, living and breathing the craft of rock-breaking,” Chang said, describing the experience of working directly in the quarry.
The symposium’s opening ceremony took place in Lavik on 1 August, with visitors also given the opportunity to meet Chang and learn more about the artwork during the opening weekend.
