「南島」是從「南島語族」（ Austronesian ）這個人類學名詞而來，意指居住於南太平洋及印度洋各島嶼之族群，分布北起臺灣、東達復活節島、西到馬達加斯加島、南抵紐西蘭，其語言與人種眾多，居住地風景純淨、文化多元。許多文獻證明臺灣是「南島語族」的原鄉，從臺灣原住民族的生命情調中即可感受「南島」的文化風格內涵。

位居臺灣東側的臺東，除擁有天然的好山好水，厚實深刻的文化底蘊更為一大特色，而 南島文化正是臺東重要文化元素之一。因此，臺東縣政府特於每兩年辦理一次「南島國 際美術獎」，召喚藝術家拓展藝術創作之能量，打開世界之心以當代省思與臺東在地特 質、山海自然及南島語族的人文脈絡、環境議題、生活記憶等進行多角度國際對話。期待本活動成為一個開放平臺，展現世界各地創作者對南島議題的關懷，藝術家進駐臺東創作期間、與在地激盪出新美學能量、同時將這能量散播到國際。本活動更具體要求創作者親赴臺東進駐及創作，親身體驗南島語族於臺東的生活風貌，進而使作品與南島精神產生更深刻的呼應。

The word “Austronesian” comes from an anthropological term, Austronesian language family. It refers to ethnic groups living on islands in the South Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Such ethnic groups are widely distributed, covering Taiwan to the north, Easter Island to the east, Madagascar to the west and New Zealand to the south. The family contains a large number of Austronesian languages and ethnic origins with pure, clean scenery and diverse cultures in inhabited areas. Many literary reviews have proved that Taiwan is where the Austronesian language family originated. Thus, the Austronesian cultural lifestyle can be felt from the lives of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.
Located on the eastern side of Taiwan, Taitung boasts much natural beauty in addition to well-rooted cultural elements. Austronesian culture happens to be a key element in Taitung’s cultural elements. Thus, the Taitung County Government organizes the Austronesian International Arts Award biennially as a way to encourage artists to expand the energy of their artistic creations, open up the heart of the world to contemporary reflections and multiple-perspectives, promote international dialogue regarding Taitung’s local characteristics, natural scenery, the cultural network, environmental topics, and the life memories of the Austronesian language family. The hope is for this event to become an open platform and exhibit for artists around the world to demonstrate their concern for Austronesian issues. During the artists’ residency period in Taitung, they resonate with the location to produce new aesthetic energy which is disseminated internationally. This event requires artists to complete their creation during a residency in Taitung in order to experience the Austronesian language family lifestyle in Taitung, which facilitates a deeper resonation with the Austronesian spirit in their pieces.

展覽訊息：

展覽時間： 2014.7.19( 六 )~8.31( 日 )(OPEN TIME 9:00~17:00 ，週一休館 )

展覽地點：臺東美術館 ( 台東縣台東市浙江路 350 號 )

開幕暨頒獎典禮： 2014.7.19( 六 )  PM:14:00