Global Tolerance Award | Taiwanese Nobel Prize

Global Tolerance Award
Dr. T.F. Chen to Receive Global Tolerance Award
and Launch Arts for Humanity World Art Tour
at United Nations International Day of Tolerance Banquet
SEE PHOTOS

United Nations, NYC:

On Tuesday, December 11th, 2001, Dr. T. F. Chen will be the first artist-painter to receive a Global Tolerance Award. Dr. Chen is being honored for his lifetime of work dedicated to peace, tolerance and love; and for his art of multiculturalism; a body of work expressing a shared vision of humanity. As a designated Cultural Ambassador for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Chen has been invited by the Friends of the United Nations to launch a World Art Campaign under the theme of this year Global Tolerance Awards: Arts for Humanity World Tour to act as a catalyst, igniting the inner vision of local communities, children, art lovers, all people worldwide, to inspire artwork in the spirit of peace and to continue bearing the positive message of the United Nations.

In 1995, the United Nations General Assembly created the International Day of Tolerance and adopted a set of principles which defined tolerance as an active attitude prompted by the recognition of human rights and fundamental freedoms for others and an acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of the world cultures and forms of expression.

The Global Tolerance Award recognizes individuals and institutions that significantly advance the Follow-up Plan of Action of the International Year for Tolerance by their unwavering determination to promote harmony amid diversity and replace the culture of war by a culture of peace. Previous honorees include the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League, Mr. Tahar Ben Jelloun, the YWCA, the United Nations Fund for the Development of Women, and the SHOA Visual History Foundation. The theme for this year’s Global Tolerance Awards is: Building A Culture of Peace & Tolerance through the Arts.

At the Global Tolerance Awards Banquet, Dr. Chen and the Friends of the United Nations will also launch Chen's Arts For Humanity World Tour. The tour will be supplemented by participation from local artists, cultural events, seminars, children’s art workshops, etc.

Dr. T. F. Chen is a painter, writer, art historian, visionary, philosopher, and founder of the T. F. Chen Cultural Center in NYC -- a non-profit organization focusing on international cultural exchange and a global New Renaissance. Dr. Chen's artistic life spans more than half a century. Born in Taiwan and educated in France, Chen was the first Taiwanese to earn a Ph. D in art history from La Sorbonne, where he established "Five - Dimensional World Culture" in theory (1969) and initiated "Neo-Iconography" in painting.

Neo-Iconography is a daring new form of communication. It unites East and West, past and present, by organizing and combining familiar "icons" in unfamiliar ways. "Neo-I" challenges both the artist and the viewer to be enchanted by new meanings for established images.

Recognized as "one of the twenty most influential artists in the world today" (Prof. Thomas McEvilley, art critic), Dr. Chen has conducted more than 100 one-man exhibitions worldwide. In 1998 and 2000, Dr. Chen held the honor of being invited to speak and exhibit at the State of the World Forum, a gathering of over 1,000 prominent world leaders in the fields of business, science, politics, education, technology and the humanities. Chen has produced more than 1,000 paintings in his signature style and has published 21 books in English, Chinese and French concerning his art and his theories of an upcoming New Renaissance. Chen's works are featured in over one-hundred textbooks (including Arts & Ideas), countless articles, newspapers, art magazines; and are collected widely privately and publicly.

The Global Tolerance Awards are hosted by the Friends of the United Nations, a non-governmental organization, dedicated to promoting the principles and values of the United Nations Charter. Dr. Noel Brown, the President of the FUN said of Chen:

In taking this decision to honor you, the Board was most impressed by your art of multiculturalism and a lifetime of work dedicated to peace, tolerance and love and for creating a body of work expressing a shared vision of humanity.

Your effective use of media and the arts to nourish the values of tolerance and harmony as well as your skillful efforts to promote respect diversity and building bridges among peoples are most commendable and very much in keeping with a theme of this year program, building A Culture of Peace and Tolerance through the Arts.

As one who has had the opportunity to study your work closely, I remain deeply impressed by your unique ability to identify the human aesthetic constants in various cultures over time. I believe that your major work, “Towards the 21st Century: Symphony of World Culture”, carries a very powerful message which I believe the world has a need to hear. Many of us feel that the 21st century should be a time of healing and human reconciliation. I have no doubt that through your art these impulses will be stimulated as we search for new meaning for the betterment of humanity.

Finally, Dr. Chen, the Friends of the United Nations attach the highest value to the work of the T. F. Chen Cultural Center and we are delighted that you will be able to accept this honor personally and join us at the Awards Ceremony at the United Nations, where a distinguished audience will likewise have an opportunity to acknowledge your most timely commitment to the values of tolerance and human dignity and to express appreciation to you for your noble endeavors.

Taiwanese Nobel Prize

Dr. T.F. Chen to Received "Taiwanese Nobel Prize"
from Taiwanese American Foundation
SEE PHOTOS

On November 19th, 2005, Dr. T.F. Chen, Master Artist, Philosopher and Founder of the T.F. Chen Cultural Center ( SoHo, NYC)
was honored with the "Humanities Achievement Award" from the Taiwanese American Foundation.

This prestigious Award, considered the equivalent of the "Taiwanese Nobel Prize" is regarded as the highest award given in the Taiwanese Community.
Founded in 1982 by Mr. Ken John Wang -- a successful L.A. based entrepreneur from Taiwan -- and his wife, this bi-annual Award has honored
the most accomplished Taiwanese in the fields of science, humanities and social services.

This Award recognizes Dr. T.F. Chen's lifelong service and commitment to the uplifting of the Taiwanese people, as well as in advocating Cultural Harmony for all. With no resources but his will and passion for his homeland, Dr. Chen started volunteering fulltime since the 1970's, to help establish the "World Federation of Taiwanese Associations," whose goal is to unite the Taiwanese community for the benefit of society.  Chen never accepted a post or compensation for himself for his efforts, but rather chose to let others take on titles of leadership, as he continued to travel around the country (Greyhound monthly bus pass in hand), stopping in different cities every night to speak and rally the Taiwanese communities nationwide to come together, build strong social and cultural ties, and pursue excellence, achievement and strength of character as a people.

Dr. T.F. Chen has also been recognized by the Friends of the United Nations, who in 2001 honored Chen with a Global Tolerance Award for his lifetime of work dedicated to peace and for his art of multiculturalism.  The Friends of the UN designated Chen a "Cultural Ambassador for Peace" and blessed his continued future efforts, in the "Arts For Humanity World Tour" that Chen has founded, launching later this year - 2010.

Dr. T.F. Chen is a Master Artist with historical vision and cultural mission, who has dedicated his life to creating artwork that reflects the achievements of our humanity and inspires worldwide cultural harmony and progress.  In 1969, Dr. Chen established his cultural theory of "SOULWARE -- Five Dimensional World Culture" and his "Neo-Iconography" art style.  Regarded as "one of the 20 most influential artists in the world today," Dr. Chen has conducted more than 100 one-man exhibitions worldwide, has published over 21 books in English, Chinese and French regarding his art and theories; and is frequently invited to lecture and exhibit around the globe.  Chen's works are featured in over 280 textbooks, countless media; and are collected widely both privately and publicly.

The Award Ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency, Long Beach CA; on Nov. 19th, 6-10pm.   There were more than 500 guests attending.