Bronze sculpture Edition: 16/20

左: 43.5 x 36.5 x 28 cm. 17 1/8 x 14 3/8 x 11 in.;右: 42 x 33 x 25 cm. 16 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 9 7/8 in.

Right: Signed in Chinese, numbered and dated on the bottom of backside
PROVENANCE
Hanart Gallery, Taipei
Galerie Loft, Hong Kong
Acquired directly by the present European collector from the above

This work is accompanied with a purchase invoice issued by Galerie Loft, Hong Kong

Carve the Taichi Universe, Integrate the Human Living World
The Source Idea of Ju Ming's Sculpture

Looking through Ju Ming's creations, we can see that in the well known and complimented Taichi Series, and the latest Living World Series, even the earlier Nativist Series, “Humanity” is always the starting point of his creation. He expresses his appreciation of “Nature-Human Integration” in the Taichi sculptures, and also mimics the variation and possibilities of people in the Living World Series, seeking the interaction between human and the universe.

Ju was pretty productive in the 90s, and the time saw his varied attempts in topic selection and material choice. Taichi Series shares the idea “Free in Form”, including the Single Whip that makes him famous, Boxing, and the Taichi Arch that presents the Yin-Yang interaction and the nature of Taichi. While the Living World Series is based on the modern painted carving, which brings free souls to life and indicates that his understanding on “Humanity” has reached a higher philosophical achievement.

Though Ju's topic and style has been changing, his pursuit on capturing the big picture of “Humanity” is always existing. At this auction, we bring six works of Ju Ming created in the 90s. With these Taichi Series and Living World Series, we can understand Ju's aesthetics in creating and philosophy of life.

Carve the Shape and Idea, Spiritual Connection Between Human and the Universe

“Taichi is the best example of 'Nature-Human Integration'…Yet my wood carving has been seeking a passage for 'human-nature communication'.”
——Ju Ming

Single Whip is a peak of Ju's creation. For years, different versions of it has been exhibited in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, England; The Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan; Paris Place Vendome, France; Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong; Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong; and some other places. Taichi Series —— Single Whip (Lot 56) completed in 1993 is a mature work of him. The extraordinary work holds vital energy in the triangular balance, and the natural texture echoes the idea of “return to simplicity”. The fact that wooden sculpture is unable to be copied makes the work even more precious and a top choice for the collection of Ju's works.

The essence of Taichi Series is the “Human-Nature Integration”. Therefore, in the selection of material, Ju tried his best to find the wood with the idealist texture. The texture and the essence of the work are in perfect harmony, which makes this Single Whip subtle and ingenious. Two legs of the figure are standing firmly on the ground. The vertical cut keeps the wood's original texture completely, making a stable visual effect. Left and right cuts, two inclined sections are two arms of the figure, creating a round up form, dynamic yet stable. The cutting of the work resembles the axe strokes of the landscape painting, which is complimented by the art critic Chu Ko. He says, “This kind of sculpting is like the freehand painting on the paper. Every stroke is precise and subtle, creating an unlimited world with the limited space.” Ju endows the sculpting with the Spirit, Temper, and Essence of Taichi. The Taichi wisdom has been folded in the wood texture, existing as a great example of the “Human-Nature Integration”.

Rhythm in Action, Yin and Yang on Balance

“I create with 'speed', which enables me to immerse myself in the creation, exploring my potential.”
——Ju Ming

Besides the human-nature connection, Ju starts form the “Force” of Taichi too. He illustrates the conflict and balance within people's interaction. The diverse choice of material enables him to jump out of the limitation of wood carving. The use of granite and bronze endows solidarity and gravitas to the works, and the varied forms create varied artistic characters as well.

Taichi Series —— Boxing (Lot 58) is made by a special kind of granite. Due to its hardness to carve and cut, it is rarely seen in Ju's creation. The granite sculpture is cut in a neat manner, which is Ju's intention to simplify the complex. The hardness, weight, and aura glow from the work. Two masters are facing each other in highly tension, and the Yin-Yang balance holds the spacial connection. The moment makes the life eternal.

Ju's Taichi, is often presented in heavy blocks to show figure's mighty image. However, another work, Taichi Series —— Boxing (Lot 55), is shown in a powerful yet rather thin style. Multiple blocks create a sense of rhythm, illustrating the powerful kicking. The left figure's two arms sink, and one of his leg is kicking high. The attacking moment is captured by the artist with the quick and upward cutting. The right figure is swirly kicking back, sharp and dynamic from the front, yet hard and stable from the back. The pose and action hides all the dynamics in the stillness. As the knife cuts, the circulation and conflict between individuals' power is freed instantly, like the Yin and Yang power each other yet conflict each other as well. The outstanding gravitas and proud grows from the work, is a confirmation of the maturity of Ju's sculpting language.

The Form of Holding Each Other, The Shape of Co-Living

“Taichi teaches people to follow the nature. Ju Ming's Taichi Series has no specific pose. They represent a power beyond the body, a spiritual world owned by everyone.”
——Johnson Chang

From the figurative Boxing to the abstract Arch, Ju's understanding about the core idea of Taichi has reached into a higher state, Higher Self. Arch is a developed work of Ju in his Taichi Series, which is permanently collected by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Cambridge, and some other high-education institutions. Ashmolean museum of Oxford University even put it together with the work of western master sculptor Henry Moore. Being together, their works show a possibility of Oriental-Western co-existing, which also confirmed the significance of two masters in the art history. Taichi Series —— Arch (Lot 57) presented in this auction is full of tension. The fine texture of the wood indicates a long-lived internal energy. When it is put on a desk, the Taichi spirit and the aesthetics of wood carving would be right in front of you to admire.

The rectangular blocks and cutting rhythm only belonging to wood carving makes the work harmonious with both hardness and softness. The figures' bodies are in one piece, stretching with rhythm. One man pushes himself against the ground, and stretches out his other hand in an arch-like pose. The other man defends with one hand, stands firmly, and holds a balance in forth-back action, which is highly rhythmic. The tense wooden texture of work perfectly coordinates with the persons' body shape, precisely catching the abstract artistic characters in this specific scene. The form of arch is also a symbol of “two polarities” of Taichi, summarizing the virtuality-solidity switch. It seems that the masters are fighting, while the pose that they hold each other is actually a circulation of power. The breath control and circulation of Taichi is also embedded with the human connection in this work, developing a spiritual appeal, Higher Self.

Price estimate:
HKD: 600,000 – 1,000,000
USD: 77,400 – 129,000

Auction Result:
HKD: 708,000