Abstract: The objectives of this research is to look back the changes with the exhibitions of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum to review what knowledge, discourses, techniques, regulations and meanings it has built during its process of practices. This, in turn, aims to reflect on the value of its exhibitions and how it has built its hegemony in Taiwan's art world.
This research is guided by the sociological theory of practice / field / agent by Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002). According to Bourdieu, the conditions necessary for forming discourses is through practices, and to complete through practices. The structural characteristics of practices and fields find Intricacy in their historical development. The theory of hegemony-building by Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) is also used to aid the argument. Gramsci theorized that the building of hegemony not only relies on direct dominance to retain its rule but also on the influence of knowledge, ethics and ideologies prompted by civil societies. The building of cultural hegemony cannot be affirmed with political means. Its goals need to be reached through the practices in the field, for instance, professional skills, cumulative results, knowledge and discourses and others. The establishment of cultural hegemony has to face the challenge arising from public opinions and the ever-changing times, thus to spur its guiding force in thinking and actions.

The research discovers the role of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum to be the tugging force for the development of Taiwan's modern and contemporary art. It has given shape to and deepened the aesthetic discourses and has attained the recognizing function in the art world. The Museum implements cultural policies with its exhibitions, and at the time, dominates the trend development of contemporary art. It then enjoys its power and cultural hegemony in Taiwan's art world. The vision and practices with exhibitions, in the constant interactions between power institutions and art discourses, has proved the museum’s leading role in the art world in Taiwan.