Bronze sculpture Edition: 4/8

25 × 56 × 20 cm. 9 7/8 × 22 × 20 in.

Signed in English, numbered, credited and dated on the bottom

LITERATURE (different edition)
1999, Contemporary Chinese Art Collection 6: Hsiung Ping-Ming, Mountain Art Museum, Kaohsiung, p. 48
2019, The Joy of Collecting Art, Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House, Chengdu, p.400
EXHIBITED (different edition)
4 Aug -9 Sep 2001, Taiwan's Treasures: 2001 Exhibition, Mountain Art museum, Kaohsiung

PROVENANCE
Important Private Collection, Asia

Exploring the Meaning of Life through Art
A Cow – A Symbol of Humanistic Spirit in the Life of Hsiung Ping-Ming

Hsiung Ping-Ming invariably features in any discussion of overseas Chinese artists in the 20th Century. Hsiung had a comprehensive understanding of East and West and took philosophical ideas as the starting point for his creative work. He also created art in a wide range of materials, ranging from sculpture and painting to prints, sketching, calligraphy and poetry, giving him an almost literati like persona.

Hsiung was born in Nanjing in 1922 and received a public scholarship to study philosophy in France in 1947. However, not long after arriving in Paris he came to feel that researching metaphysical theory would not be enough to satisfy him and so transferred to study sculpture under Antoine Gimond. Hsiung's earliest works were primarily simple and unadorned forms and it was not until his mid period that the artist imbued his pieces with greater spirituality, ultimately learning to combine material and image at will, in ways that were rich and vigorous while also deeply appealing to people at that time. Hsiung also received the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Palmes académiques in recognition of his artistic achievements.

Facing the Vicissitudes of Life with Fortitude

Hsiung Ping-Ming once said: “The three dimensional space of a sculpture occupies a place. It not only occupies that place it also strives to achieve its own permanent existence in time, which is what makes sculpture the optimal vehicle for an artist to express the will to live of an individual or group. ” In this context, A Cow is clearly an excellent example of the motifs the artist used the most.

The work is extremely life-like with a relatively simple shape, but viewers invariably focus on the kneaded skin texture of the physically robust and energetic animal, almost as if it records the beast's inner emotions and state of mind over time. In addition to its powerful sense of nostalgia, this piece also conveys the message that irrespective of the passing of time one should always be resolute, fearless and determined in life. The sculpture also brings to mind the words of Chinese literary giant Lu Xun: “Frown, I give but a cold shoulder to those commanding officers; Head bowed, I'd play a willing cow for the common folks.” It also highlights the fact that at a particular point the realization of philosophy and sculpture are ultimately the same pursuit. As we approach the centennial of Hsiung Ping-Ming's birth, the auctioning of this sculpture, which represents such an impressive crystallization of the artistic ideas and philosophy the artist pursued throughout his life, shows a particular significance.

Price estimate:
HKD: 500,000 - 700,000
USD: 64,200 - 89,900

Auction Result:
HKD: 600,000