Li Mei-shu Memorial Gallery Introduction
Sanxia - Zushi Temple - Li Meishu When people mention Sanxia, the first association is the Zushi Temple, and when referring to Zushi Temple, the most direct connection is Li Meishu. Li Meishu was an artist, painter, professor, councilor, and chairman of the farmers' association. His creations primarily aim to present the beauty of Taiwan's local culture, characterized by a realistic style, with his most beloved Sanxia landscape paintings filled with his emphasized artistic ideals of "wind, soil, people, and emotions." Established in 1995, the Li Meishu Memorial Museum serves to commemorate Taiwanese painter Li Meishu and showcase his works. The museum houses his outstanding artworks and various cultural relics, including the original manuscripts detailing the construction of the Zushi Temple he undertook. In 2005, it was designated as a local cultural museum by the Cultural Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan. The Changfu Rock Qingshui Zushi Temple in Sanxia was built in the 34th year of the Qianlong reign (1769) and is not only the central temple in the local belief and worship circle but also a hub for social and economic activities in the area. During the Daoguang era (1833), the temple was damaged by an earthquake, prompting fundraising for its expansion. After the cession of Taiwan in 1895 and during local resistance against Japanese rule, the temple was burned down by the occupying Japanese army, leading to its reconstruction in 1899 under the planning of local gentry. After World War II, due to the passage of time and natural damage, the temple's structure and decorations faced severe deterioration, which led to Li Meishu's initiative to rebuild the Zushi Temple. In 1947, Li Meishu oversaw the reconstruction of the Sanxia Zushi Temple, inspired by the belief underpinning Michelangelo's construction of St. Peter's Basilica, responding to the calls from cultural and artistic figures. He envisioned the temple as a space where devotees could not only burn incense, worship Buddha, and seek peace but also gain nourishment from aesthetics and cultural education. Therefore, he devoted considerable effort to its architecture and design, paying special attention to details during the restoration process. He personally designed and supervised the carving works, including dragon columns, pigeon reliefs, and dougong brackets, and aimed for high precision in reproducing the beauty of traditional craftsmanship. Additionally, he enhanced the temple's interior with vibrant colors and exquisite patterns to create a rich visual impact, increasing the artistic allure of the overall building. As a result, the Zushi Temple gained significant fame and was hailed as the "Hall of Eastern Carving Arts." However, within the context of Taiwanese art history, the temple can be viewed as an unprecedented experimental space, led by the artist to integrate tradition and modernity based on local beliefs, becoming a unique classical paradigm of art in Taiwan. Beyond faith and history, the decorative works were crafted by renowned masters and artists of the time, enriching the aesthetic of religious art. To transform the Zushi Temple into a place with cultural, artistic, and educational functions, Li Meishu welcomed prominent figures from the literary and artistic circles, such as Yu Youren, Fu Juanfu, Yan Xishan, Ou Haonian, Lin Yushan, Chen Jin, Guo Xuehu, and others to provide calligraphic and painting drafts. These were brought to life by national treasure-level masters of traditional woodcarving, stone carving, and painting techniques, such as the stone carver Jiang Yinqiang and the leading disciple Chen Tiansi, combining modern aesthetic concepts to revitalize the Zushi Temple and achieve the birth of this "Hall of Eastern Arts," a folk temple art museum. In 2018, the Sanxia Zushi Temple was designated as a municipal historic site by the Cultural Affairs Bureau.
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