Bronze Sculpture Edition: 1/8 (left); 2/8 (right)

左: 253 × 171.2 × 142 cm.；99 1/2 x 67 1/2 x 55 7/8 in. ；右: 203 × 180.3 × 127.5 cm.；80 x 71 x 50 1/4 in.

Signed in Chinese, dated and numbered on each bottom of backside
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Europe
23 Nov 2013, Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Auction, Lot 42
Important Private Collection, Asia

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

Sky Rocking and Groundbreaking, to the Realm of Infinity
Ju Ming's Dual Sculpture Ever Presented in Auction History

“When my hands move with my heart, I completely forget myself, no burden, no boundaries. The real me emerges and my potentials are naturally revealed”
——Ju Ming

Zhuang Zi said: “The spirit of Tao is before Taichi….” The term Taichi originally refers to the state of infinite space. Later, The Book of Changes has defined Taichi as the initial stage of all things. From Taichi comes the two elements, hence Yin and Yang, and the intertwined relationship between the dynamic and the static. Based on his own experience learning the martial art of Taichi, the progression from a single move to a two-person confrontation and interaction, Ju Ming has internalized the spirit of infinite and abundance in his own bronze sculptures.

Coveted Collections: Unprecedented in Stature

With the improvement of bronze remolding technology, Ju Ming has gradually expanded his creative apparatus in terms of scale. From the 1980s to the mid1990s, he held solo exhibitions in New York Max Hutchinson's Sculpture Fields, Hong Kong Exchange Square, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and Hakone Sculpture Open Air Museum in Japan. All the works in the exhibitions were grand in stature and have demonstrated tremendous confidence of the artist, which has made Ju Ming an important figure in the Chinese art history.

We are honored to present the masterpiece of Ju Ming's classic two person sets in Taichi, Taichi Series: Cloud Hands, Stomp, the largest bronze sculptures in auction history. These sculptures are a crystallization of Ju Ming's elaborate explanation of the Taichi principles and an embodiment of the artist's ambition to influence the world with his artworks. If placed in an outdoor setting, viewers will be able to perceive the staggering height (253 cm) of the Cloud Hands on the left, as if a Taichi master was integrated into the universe. The Stomp piece on the right (203 cm), further explores the majestic power of the dynamic balance, combining the thick materiality of bronze with the rhythm of the stature.

Although Ju Ming has created a large collection of artworks, there are only a few large size bronze sculptures, and even fewer went to auction. Ju only has 12 pieces that are over 250 cm in height and the two-person fighting set is a rare theme. Ju's largest two person fighting set sculpture (270 cm) was exhibited in his solo exhibition at the Hakone Open Air Museum in Japan. The Taichi Series: Stomp is arguably Ju Ming's second largest bronze sculpture and it is a rare and exquisite pair of pieces.

The Shape of Taichi: Generative Power of Penetration

“Ju Ming does not just mold, but engraves his bronze sculptures. He is more interested in creating texture and employing boneless method to express the materiality of mountain.”
——Johnson Chang

This work highlights the aesthetics of Ju Ming's sculpture in large stature, and his engraving skill has morphed into the brushstrokes and the rhythm of boneless painting method, which embodies the Taichi's energy and spirit. The shape of Cloud Hands is concise: the straight cuts of the legs form four squares and the cliff-like lines are straight down. Both have demonstrated his mastery of engraving skills. The cloud hands posture is rich in overlapping lines: the left arm delivers steady strength in a straight line and the right arm intersects with multiple triangles and irregular blocks, adding a sense of liveliness, exhibiting the lightness, heaviness, slowness and swiftness of calligraphy skillfulness and the hidden potential underneath the calm appearance.

Taichi Series: Stomp reveals the dual strength of calmness and vigor. Viewing from the front, the audience can see the bright lines and the lively posture. Ju Ming has done a marvelous job capturing the moment of attack from the kick. The protagonist stands on the right foot alone, keeping a straight line from the head to the body and the leg. Driven by the body to swing and kick, the left leg is full of momentum and energy. The two hands form superb harmony in the moving dynamic: the right hand hangs down to maintain balance, and the left hand swings naturally to the center to connect the whole body. The straight and neat lines echo the lower body that is as steady as Mountain Tai, consolidating the dynamics into the moment. Viewing from behind, the audience will discover that the stability and the calmness of the figure builds on speed and power. Different from the mellowness of Cloud Hands, Stomp consists of an arched pattern with twists and turns of lines, a pair of master pieces of unforgettable momentum of strength.

Form into the Spirit: the Aura of a Master

In the form of two-person confrontation, the sculptures form a moving-static momentum of Taichi martial art. Stomp is after speed and attacking. Cloud Hands strikes a balance between slowness and swiftness, calmness with movement, which harmonizes the body. When the two are juxtaposed, the viewers are able to appreciate the dynamics and the statics, rigidity in softness. The undulating line and surfaces are both distinctive relativities and harmonious symbiosis, which fits into Taichi's profound exposition on dualism. Although large in scale, the artist confidently works with the magnificent form, making a pair of moving pieces of artwork, molding the sculptural language of image into spirit. It is a crystallization of Ju Ming's Taichi wisdom and artistic talent, a pair of rare and exquisite pieces.

Price estimate:
HKD: 9,600,000 – 15,000,000
USD: 1,238,700 – 1.935.500

Auction Result:
HKD: 11,190,000