Yang Mao-lin was born in Changhua, Taiwan in 1953. He graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Chinese Culture University in 1979 and was a member of the 101 Modern Art Group of the time. In 1991, one of Yang’s works was selected to be the May issue cover of Art Monthly magazine in Australia, with the artist featured in a special story. The next year, the artist was awarded with the First Lion Art Creative Award. With “Graphic Heroes ” in 1986, “Behavior of Game Playing” in 1987, and “Made in Taiwan: Bodily Signs”, Yang criticized / ridiculed the social conflicts of Taiwan. He turned to the history and land of Taiwan, trying to shape a cultural identity of his own through “Chronicles of Yuanshan”, “Chronicles of Lily”, “Chronicles of Fort Zeelandia”, and “Chronicles of Dayuan”. In 2000, he abandoned oil painting and opted computer graphics, using cartoon and comic book characters to present social issues related to the adolescents of Taiwan. Sometime after, he started creating sculptures, such as the “Lost in Wonderland” series. More elements have appeared, from the ancient to the modern, including religious and cartoon figures. It can be seen that, after voicing his views on historical, social and cultural issues, Yang now tries to show a utopia with diversity.

Yang expressed his talent to the painting community of Taiwan for the first time with “Graphic Heroes” in 1986, followed by “Behavior of Game Playing” and “Made in Taiwan: Bodily Signs” in 1987. This artwork belongs to the “Behavior of Game Playing ” series focusing on the subject of “fight.” The painting is divided into four sections, and each has a green lightning in a comic form. The pictures are powerful in a visual term. The artist reflects upon political, social, cultural and ethnic conflicts of Taiwan in transition using a sarcastic tone.

Yang Mao Lin, born in 1953, belongs to the post WWII baby boom generation. He grew up in the martial-law period of Taiwan, when society was rather shut-down. As he graduated from college, the society of Taiwan also entered a transitional stage. Politically, culturally and economically, the country was immensely impacted by the tug-of-war between the conservative and the open-minded, as well as the declaration and lifting of martial laws. Unsurprisingly, social conflicts in a chaotic time became the source of inspiration for young-generation artists. In 1982, Yang founded 101 Modern Art Group with several senior and junior classmates from the Fine Arts Department of Chinese Culture University, including Wu Tien-chang, Lu Hsien-ming and Lu I-jung. As more and more people joined the group, in 1984, the Taipei Painting School was established. The members believe that art should reflect upon times. In the face of Taiwan in transition, these artists criticize political, historical and ethnic issues, just like many other intellectuals who stand up to speak about the current trends. Yang during this period became an active participant of the art community in Taiwan for the series of paintings criticizing the country’s cultural, political, social and historical issues.