The murals on Xinmei Street in Tainan bring out the local soul.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

In recent years, painted villages have become a trend in Taiwan. In addition to the uniquely distinctive Rainbow Village in Taichung and the Paper-cutting Art Village in Yunlin, there are also numerous cartoon-themed painted villages that have sprung up all over Taiwan, attracting many tourists to visit as a pilgrimage. This not only brings tourist crowds but also adds vibrancy to small villages. However, as this trend grows, there has been increasing skepticism and opposition toward cartoon-themed painted villages, with critics saying that many of these murals simply copy and replicate content. Does Taiwan not have its own cultural soul?

Now, new painted murals have emerged on Xinmei Street in Tainan. With their delicate brushwork, they incorporate local emotions and allow observers to catch glimpses of the everyday lives of residents. Although the completed murals may not match the scale or quantity of those in typical painted villages, these high-quality works full of local connection still deeply move many netizens who see them.

The mural in Xinmei Street Lane 125 was completed in December 2014. It was painted by artist José Hsu, who has long collaborated with the pet product design company “PAPA.” The client was the owner of the hardware store directly across the street. The building where the mural is painted was once a hotel and is now used as a warehouse for the hardware store. It is located right in front of the historic Grand Matsu Temple. When the client first said, “Just paint whatever you want,” José Hsu responded, “Then why not paint something related to you, about the memories of Xinmei Street?” As a result, the mural is filled with the client’s impressions of Xinmei Street—abundant with food such as tofu pudding, dried squid, pig’s blood sausage, stinky tofu, black tea (Xinmei Street was formerly known as Rice Street, a bustling commercial street), quietly becoming a mural that promotes Tainan cuisine.