戴瀚成，1984臺大醫學系畢業，曾任臺大骨科醫師， 1997 年起任恩主公醫院骨科主任。行醫三十多載，一手執手術刀，一手執起畫筆，用同樣的細心與耐心，將手術室及病房內外看遍的生命故事，以積沙成塔以小觀大的風格，創造出既抒情又警世的寓意。
戴醫師早年的畫作是從家人開始的。他曾以六種不同的表現方式，組合呈現愛女的肖像。其中一幅特別從一家人在世界旅遊的經歷出發，將世界各大知名建築以微雕模型的方式組合成一幅側看是烏托邦地球村，俯瞰則是愛女肖像的創作。
對戴醫師來說，創作方向是不斷變化的。熱愛藝文活動的他，除動手創作外，更愛四處旅遊及參觀各項藝文活動。常常某些極具創意的呈現方式會吸引他的目光，並開始思考：「若是我的話，我還可以怎麼玩？」一有了新點子，便開始轉向這種新的表現方式。由於實驗性極高，每每耗費大量下班後的時間沈浸在這些新創作手法的開發上。但也因其在骨科專業上練就的巧手、細心、與耐心，讓他對於這樣細膩的創作手法，雖曠日費時卻仍樂此不疲。
除了微雕模型的立體創作外，戴醫師更創造出一系列透過不同角度光影產生不同畫面的作品。他使用回收的吸管形塑出大火後巴黎聖母院的側立面模型，可由觀看者遙控切換從聖母院模型往下投射出的光，讓下方的紙雕在細節分別呈現出早晨陽光照射的非洲及印度村落樣貌。光影投射出教堂及房舍的影子，從遠看分別呈現史懷哲與德蕾莎修女之像。即為此次展出的作品《就是這個光》。
同樣是透過光的創作，戴醫師也試著以不同的視角與觀賞者互動。Covid-19 疫情期間，他以一位「殉職護理師」為主角，除了護理師肖像乃是由許多微小的佛像所組成外，透過左右兩個角度不同的光，讓觀看者移動腳步，可以從左右兩邊分別看到日本及中國神話中，負責驅魔避禍的神祇，象徵因疫情而犧牲健康甚至生命而成佛的勇敢醫護人員。即為此次展出的作品《新瘟疫時代》。
戴醫師曾說：
「近十年來，休閒活動從户外改成文藝，觀看各種展覽，漸漸把小時候接觸過的書畫經驗找回來，談不上技巧，只覺創作可天馬行空，不要無病呻吟即可。」
雖然對戴醫師來說，創作的主題與手法總是不停變來變去，點子也隨生命體驗增加與生活視野打開而不斷冒出，甚至有時因創作總是耗費大量時間精力，每完成一件作品就覺得總算了結一件麻煩的事，下回換手法純粹是為了新鮮，但他「以藝寓世」的心卻從未改變過。創作精神上，他推崇臺灣當代藝術家梅丁衍，那種用多變表現形態展現臺灣社會與文化的多元樣貌。和梅丁衍一樣，戴醫師融入了各種物質符號在作品中，並以這些實際的物品和標誌作為文化與記憶的載體，透過解構後的重構，在不同的面向上賦予新意涵的同時，也能用不同的觀看視角，為觀看者創造更多不同的思考向度。
戴醫師的創作提出了對許多當代臺灣社會與人類文明的疑問，但他並未用一種科學的高度甚至「先知」的姿態，試圖為觀看者提供任何解答。相反地，他以謙卑的態度和近似修行的方式，從非常細微之處著手，用細膩的心創造出不同的觀看方式。至於我們從作品裡看到了什麼？是視覺語意下的表象，還是層層堆疊下隱藏的深層意涵？全然看觀看者是否能將心打開而定。
「穿著白袍的藝術家」
或許戴醫師聽到這樣的稱謂時會帶著靦腆的笑容說：這些只是他工作之餘的最大嗜好。但細究其每件作品裡的巧思與細膩手法，思及這樣的創作需要投入怎樣的專注與心力時，將明白這些「文以載道」作品的藝術價值是無法取代的。
現任：
恩主公醫院骨科主任
學歷：
國立臺灣大學醫學院醫學系畢業
經歷：
曾任臺大醫院骨科部主治醫師
展出：
2019 6640創意聯展 臺大醫學人文博物館
2020 杏林藝彩聯展 臺南市美術館
Dr. Dai Han-cheng graduated from National Taiwan University’s Medical School in 1984 and served as an orthopedic surgeon at National Taiwan University Hospital. In 1997, he became the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at En Chu Kong Hospital. Over his 30-plus years of practicing medicine, Dr. Dai has wielded both the scalpel and the paintbrush, using the same careful attention and patience to transform the life stories he encountered in surgery rooms and hospital wards into art. His works, with their “small-scale” approach, invite a deep exploration of life, creating both lyrical and thought-provoking allegories.
In the early stages of his artistic career, Dr. Dai began with portraits of his family. One particularly notable piece was a combination of six different styles, presenting the image of his beloved daughter. This piece was inspired by the family’s travel experiences around the world, where he crafted a miniature sculpture of famous global landmarks, arranged in such a way that when viewed from the side, it formed an utopian “global village.” When viewed from above, it revealed a portrait of his daughter.
For Dr. Dai, the direction of his creations is constantly evolving. Passionate about the arts, he not only engages in hands-on creation but also loves to travel and visit various art events. Often, a particularly creative presentation will catch his eye and make him think, “If it were me, how could I approach this differently?” Once he has an idea, he moves toward this new way of expression. His works are highly experimental, consuming hours after work as he immerses himself in developing these new artistic techniques. But with the skilled hands, meticulousness, and patience honed through his orthopedic practice, he continues to enjoy the delicate creative process, even when it is time-consuming.
In addition to miniature sculpture, Dr. Dai has created a series of works that explore different angles of light and shadow. One of his notable works is a model of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, made from recycled straws. The viewers can remotely control the light projections cast from the model, allowing the paper sculptures below to reflect scenes from African and Indian villages under the morning sun. The shadows of churches and houses reveal the images of Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa. This work, titled This Is the Light, is part of the exhibition.
Through light, Dr. Dai also explores different perspectives and interactions with the viewers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he created a piece that portrayed a “fallen nurse.” The nurse’s portrait was made up of tiny Buddhist statues, and the lighting was manipulated from two different angles, showing, as the viewer moves, mythological gods from Japanese and Chinese traditions who protect against evil. This symbolized the courageous medical workers who sacrificed their health and lives during the pandemic, transforming into Buddha. This piece, titled The New Plague Era, is another work exhibited.
Dr. Dai has said:
“Over the past decade, my leisure activities have shifted from outdoor pursuits to cultural and artistic activities. I began to reconnect with the books and paintings I encountered in my childhood. I can’t claim to have mastered the techniques, but I feel that creation can be limitless and free-spirited, as long as it is not self-indulgent.”
Although Dr. Dai’s themes and methods continuously evolve, and ideas frequently arise with life experiences and expanded perspectives, his artistic heart remains unchanged. He says that his artistic exploration is about expressing life through art, much like the way Taiwanese contemporary artist Mei Ding-yen uses various forms to depict Taiwan’s society and culture. Like Mei, Dr. Dai integrates material symbols into his works, using these objects as vessels for culture and memory. Through deconstruction and reconstruction, he breathes new meaning into them, offering different perspectives and creating opportunities for deeper thinking.
Dr. Dai’s creations raise questions about many contemporary issues in Taiwanese society and human civilization. However, he does not approach them with a scientific or “prophetic” stance, nor does he offer definitive answers. Instead, he humbly and meditatively addresses the intricacies of these issues through subtle details, creating new ways of seeing. What do we see in his work? Is it the surface level of visual meaning, or are there deeper layers of significance hidden within? Ultimately, it depends on whether the viewer can open their heart to the experience.
“The Artist in the White Coat”
Perhaps when Dr. Dai hears this title, he would smile shyly and say that these are simply his greatest hobbies outside of work. However, upon closer examination of the intricate ideas and techniques in each of his works, it becomes clear that such artistic creations require an immense amount of focus and effort. The artistic value of his works, which convey life lessons through art, is irreplaceable.