Enchanting Paris — Roland Garros Art Exhibition: Guo Caijie Turns Superfan

Text / Compiled and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network

The "Enchanting Paris — Roland Garros Art Exhibition," jointly planned by the United Daily News Group and Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, debuted in Taiwan on July 5. Renowned actress Guo Caijie, who had previously admired Roland Garros' works in France, attended the press conference as a devoted fan, sharing her admiration for the artist’s creations.

The exhibition features 100 pieces from the Marie Laurencin Museum in Tokyo, showcasing precious artworks from various periods of the French artist Marie Laurencin. The collection includes oil paintings, prints, and works on paper. The exhibition runs from July 5 to October 12 at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall’s Chiang Kai-shek Gallery.
Marie Laurencin (1883–1956) was one of the few outstanding and renowned female artists in the Parisian art scene during the early 20th century. Known for her mastery of feminine elegance, she created numerous works centered around female portraits, including portraits of the iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with artistic giants such as Picasso and Braque, and was romantically involved with the famous French poet Guillaume Apollinaire. She was hailed as "the most beautiful doe of the Paris School."

This exhibition retraces her creative journey through four themed sections: "The Belle Époque," "The Exile Period," "The Crazy Years," and "The Glorious Later Years." It vividly presents the evolution of Laurencin’s artistic style and the dreamy, enchanting female world within her artworks. Last year, the Musée de Montmartre in Paris held a special Laurencin exhibition that attracted 200,000 visitors.

An avid painter, Laurencin created many female portraits, including one of the famed fashion designer Coco Chanel. Over her nearly half-century career, she produced more than 2,000 oil paintings, over 300 prints, numerous watercolors, and a wealth of book illustrations. She also designed stage costumes and sets for several ballet productions. The Musée de Montmartre’s exhibition last year drew 200,000 visitors and received widespread acclaim. The United Daily News Group has specially brought this exhibition to Taiwan for local audiences. Starting July 5, visitors can see the legendary female artist—who walked a unique path between Fauvism and Cubism—at the Chiang Kai-shek Gallery.

The main sponsor of the "Enchanting Paris — Roland Garros Art Exhibition," CTBC Bank, has long been committed to promoting art and culture. From the earlier “Amazing Millet: The Beauty of the Countryside” exhibition to last year’s “Impression: Classic Monet Exhibition,” the bank has made world-class art accessible to the public without the need for overseas travel, embodying the philosophy that “where there is world-class performance, there are CTBC customers’ applause,” contributing to Taiwan’s art scene.