BE OPEN Art is pleased to announce Lian Jhu as the first Regional Artist of the Month in the East Asia stage of its 2026 global art competition. Running from September to December 2026, the third stage of the fourth year of the programme celebrates outstanding emerging artists from across East Asia, including Japan, North and South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Macau, Mongolia, and Taiwan.
Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Lian Jhu is an artist whose practice explores human existence through introspection, emotional experience, and the language of the painted figure.
As the first monthly winner in the East Asia regional stage, Lian Jhu now joins the upcoming selection of artists who will compete for the title of Regional Winner of East Asia, to be announced at the end of the stage. Additional monthly winners will be selected before the final regional award is determined.
The selected Regional Winner will receive a €500 cash prize and increased international visibility through the BE OPEN Art platform. Through the Regional Art competition, BE OPEN Art continues its mission to support emerging artists worldwide, fostering artistic innovation, cross-cultural dialogue, and the preservation and expression of regional identities through contemporary art.