Poren Huang
Poren Huang was born into a family of traditional woodcarvers. He studied sculpture at the Fu-Hsin Trade & Arts School and launched his professional career in the late 1990s. In 2001, he participated in the Graz International Sculpture Exhibition in Austria and later gained recognition both in Taiwan and internationally for his unique and symbolic sculptural works.
Huang is best known for his sculptural series The Dog’s Notes, which he began in 2005. In this body of work, he personifies the Formosan Mountain Dog — a breed native to Taiwan — as a symbol of human traits and psychological states. His sculptures, often made of bronze, stainless steel, or gold leaf, are characterized by sleek, stylized forms, enlarged features, and confident postures. The works explore themes of loyalty, courage, pride, and modern social behavior through a humorous yet thought-provoking visual language.
Among his most well-known pieces are The Dog’s Notes, The Vision, Iron Wood Forest. Huang’s work has been exhibited widely across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He has held solo exhibitions in Taipei, Tokyo (Meguro Museum of Art), New York (Williamsburg Art & Historical Center), and Berlin (aquabitArt Gallery), and participated in international art fairs such as Art Taipei and Art Stage Singapore. His sculptures are part of several public and private collections, including the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.
Collected by major institutions and notable private collectors:
— National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts— Galerie Dumonteil; Paris
Notable sales and auction records:
— 21st Century, TWD 1,8 million at Ravenel, Taipei, 2020— Go!, TWD 1,3 million at Ravenel, Taipei, 2021
— Hold You Dear, TWD 1 million at Ravenel, Taipei, 2018
Artworks and Paintings
Biography and Artistic Career Highlights
Poren Huang was born in 1970 in Taichung, Taiwan, into a family of woodcarving masters. His childhood was spent among workshops, wood dust, and the dogs guarding the family business. From an early age, he developed an interest in the plasticity of forms and working with materials, later deciding to dedicate himself to sculpture.
1986–1989 — studied at Fu-Hsin Trade & Art School in Taipei, where he received basic training as a sculptor.
1990s — participated in national competitions and exhibitions, working with wood, metal, and stone.
1999 — awarded First Prize at the Central Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition in Taichung, bringing him recognition in Taiwan.
2001 — took part in an international sculpture exhibition in Graz, Austria, marking his first entry onto the European stage.
2003 — solo exhibition “Iron Wood Forest” at the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum in Taiwan.
2005 — began the series “The Dog’s Notes,” which became central to his work. Sculptures of dogs, especially the Formosan Mountain Dog, emerged as symbols of human emotions and values — loyalty, courage, and trust.
2006–2008 — works “Happy Time” and “Wise Man” were acquired by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. Actively participated in Art Taipei and projects in China.
2010–2016 — solo and group exhibitions in Asia, Europe, and the United States. His “dogs” became recognizable for their blend of humor, symbolism, and sculptural expressiveness.
2017–2019 — projects and exhibitions in Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and Oslo. Huang’s sculptures were presented at contemporary art fairs and gained the attention of collectors and museums.
2020–2020s — further development of “The Dog’s Notes” series, with new solo exhibitions in Taiwan and abroad. He actively works with bronze, stainless steel, and gilding, exploring the theme of harmony between humans and nature.
Today, Poren Huang continues to live and work. His sculptures are part of museum and private collections around the world. Through the image of the dog, he has created a universal language reflecting the emotions and values of contemporary society and has secured a strong place among the notable figures of contemporary Asian art.
