Bronze sculpture Edition: 8/8

139 x 48 x 33.5 cm. 54 5/7 x 17 1/3 x 13 1/5 in.

Signed in English, numbered, and dated with an artist's seal on the bottom of the backside

LITERATURE
2010, The Beacon: When Night Light Glimmers Li Chen, Asia Arts Center, Taipei, p. 44-49
2011, Greatness of Spirit – Li Chen Premiere Sculpture Exhibition in Taiwan, Asia Arts Center, Taipei, p. 202
PROVENANCE
Important Private Collection, Asia

This work is accompanied by a certification of authenticity issued by Asia Arts Center, Taipei

The Irrepressible Life-force of Li Chen's Soaring Dragon

After rising to eminence in 1999 thanks to his Energy of Emptiness series, Li Chen became recognized for the voluptuous forms of his sculptures and his ingenious fusion of heaviness and lightness. Following a decade of artistic exploration, he embarked upon his Beacon series in 2009. Beacon comprises eight works, all of which feature a golden flame. With this series, Li took his technical mastery to new heights and developed original subject matter. The artist was suddenly inspired to incorporate flames into his work while lighting the candles in his Buddhist shrine. Flames not only represent the beginning of civilization — they also play an important role in religious rituals and symbolize enlightenment in Buddhism. The inclusion of a flickering flame imbues Chen's works with an irrepressible lifeforce.

Turning to Face the Light
Soaring Dragon from 2010 is one of the defining works of the Beacon series. Li uses three colors — gold, silver, and black — to create a multi-layered visual experience. The way that the sculpture rises upward signifies enlightenment. The flame takes the form of the mythical Chinese torch dragon, represented with its talons splayed. This dragon lends the work a powerful sense of movement. It is reminiscent of a romantic poem by Li Bai in which “a dragon ascends the nine heavens”. With consummate craftsmanship, Li Chen depicts an immortal sage rising through the clouds, raising a torch in one hand. This sage has the serene expression and lithe figure befitting of a Buddhist monk. The inextinguishable flame reminds us that, before we can enlighten others, we must first become enlightened ourselves by continually honing our wisdom and spirit. Through a variety of evocative shapes, Li Chen reimagines traditional Buddhist imagery. Thanks to his attention to detail, he is able to create lifelike scenes that pull viewers in and resonate with all.

Price estimate:
HKD: 850,000 – 1,500,000
USD: 108,400 – 191,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,475,000