Bronze Sculpture Edition: 18/20

99.9 x 46 x 71 cm. 39 1/3 x 18 1/9 x 28 in.

Signed in Chinese, dated and numbered on bottom of the backside
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

This work is accompanied by a certification of authenticity issued by Nonprofit Organization Juming Culture and Education Foundation

Integrating Strength and Flexibility, Merging Yin and Yang
Ju Ming's Philosophy of Taichi

For Ju Ming, the Taichi series marks an important milestone for his career. It not only contains spiritual implications but also brought his works to the global stage. The creative journey of Ju Ming's Taichi series started with the Kung Fu series in 1976, later the classic single and double figures in the 1990s, followed by the abstract Taichi Arch after the millennium. Over the span of twenty plus years, Ju Ming's artistic practice has enabled him to transfer the spirit of Taichi into his hands and mind. Furthermore, Ju Ming discovered the connection among Taichi, Taoism and his sculptures. We are extremely proud to present five Taichi sculptures from the peak of Ju Ming's creativity in this auction, each with eloquent and lively appearance.

Merging Virtual and Reality, Strength and Gentleness
As the renowned Oxford professor Michael Sullivan said, "In Ju Ming's Taichi series, this conflict of forces is explicit, in the dualism of the figures who thrust and retreat, give and take, in a dynamic relationship with one another. An invisible electric current seems to flow between them." This perfectly sums up Ju Ming's work Shuttling Maiden (Lot 129). In this artwork, the subject is representing a defensive and offensive maneuver, the two arms are precisely positioned, presenting the Shuttling Maiden's smooth movement almost as needle threading. According to the practice proverbs of Chinese boxing, “actions need to be soft, but hard on the attacking points.” Through his own experience, Ju Ming internalizes the idea of "soft and hard" into his creativity, so that the works have both the calmness and strength. The British sculptor Antony Gormley, who also explores the relationship between human and the environment through his own works. He often reflects the meaning of existence through the static life in space, while Ju Ming's Shuttling Maiden observes the exterior world thru non-action movements, treating the subject as microcosmos. The cohesiveness of the universe and the movements is the best example of unity between human and nature.

The thrusting motion used in another Ju Ming's work Pushing Hands (Lot 133) is a basic movement in Taichi. This movement plays a role in connecting the flow which is extremely important to the development of internal skills. It focuses the intimate interactions between the four limbs, showing subtle offensiveness and gradual change of the movements. This is indeed the essence of Taichi, pursuing the balance between postures (sheng), issuing (fa), step (bu), breathing (qi), merging virtual and reality.

Releasing Stored Energy in a Powerful Burst
Ju Ming's work Single Whip combines two of the hallmarks in Taichi –relaxation and accumulation in order to show the highest level of Chi (internal energy) storing and cultivation. The two Single Whip sculptures in the auction this time fully embody Ju Ming's Taichi inspired interpretation of aesthetics. The Single Whip sculptures are the most sought-after art pieces in the market. One Single Whip (a height of 150 centimeters) was acquired by the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan as part of its permanent collection in 1978. Several other venues have also displayed the works as public art, including Hong Kong's Exchange Square, Citygarden in St. Louis, Missouri and Victoria Square in Montreal. Making Ju Ming a truly internationally-renowned artist in contemporary Asian art.

Single Whip (Lot 131), a smaller scale work in the series yet projecting mighty energy, creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere, an integrated creation of Ju Ming's understanding of Taichi. Johnson Chang, gallerist and curator gave a heartfelt praise to Ju Ming's works, “The grandeur of Ju Ming's works is not entirely from their scale, but from the from and texture. His sculptures reveal the strength and vitality of nature regardless of the size." Small but powerful, the sculpture, is a crystallization of Ju Ming's interpretation and understanding of Taichi. The artist's carving marks are clearly visible, using modern expression techniques to create a vivid image full of confidence and vitality.

In order to make large-scale Taichi sculptures, besides wood, Ju Ming started to utilize bronze molds in the early 1980s. This way, the works could retain the original wood grain as well as amplify the natural properties of bronze, achieving two aims at once. Single Whip (Lot 130) adopted this very method, which makes this bronze sculpture appears to have a wood-like and life-like visual effect. The subject distributes the weight at the bottom, arms and feet stretch outward, forming two straight lines. The posture is unrestrained yet modest, and the body is kept upright, holding strength at the core, forming the finest defensive movement, channeling the spirits of Taoism – indisputable dispute. Ju Ming puts aside detailed embellishments in Single Whip, but focuses on carving speed, resulting in clean and delicately textured lines, as if the energy flows through the veins of the subject. And the movements being performed by a motionless figure are so dynamic, creating a strong visual tension that precisely capture the concept of form in Taichi.

The textured bronze sculptures are regarded as the classics in the Taichi series. Single Whip, Ju Ming's pinnacle of creation is the crown jewel in the series. It is the most adored series by many collectors. And the Single Whip sculptures in the auction this time is a rare treasure with high collectible values.

The Art of Going with the Flow
French art critic Jean-Luc Chalumeau once praised Ju Ming's work Spin Kick has artfully resolved the heaviness of bronze sculptures with the movement of lines. It unquestionably reveals the concealed rhythm despite the large scale. Another Ju Ming's work Turn Stomp (Lot 132) represents the flow of Taichi on how a small change affects the whole body. Viewers cannot help but following the lines and movements on the surface, it exudes a sense of motion in a manner reminiscent of the ancient Greek sculpture Discobolus. The work contrasts the movement of one leg staying still and another one in action, showing the harmony of the body and the superb balance. It is the finest interpretation of the invisible flow of breath, space and energy in Taichi. Looking closely from different angles, viewers can appreciate the continuous movement of the lines and blocks, gaining a seamless viewing experience.

The Taichi series by Ju Ming echoes the spirit and essence of Taichi wholeheartedly. The strength and beauty of Taichi are running through the entire series, using one of kind sculpture techniques to emphasize more on the meaning instead of the form, the resulting works are truly incomparable.

Price estimate:
HKD: 950,000 – 1,500,000
USD: 121,100 – 191,300

Auction Result:
HKD: --