Coral jade sculpture

15×12.4×9.2 cm. 5 7/8×4 7/8×3 5/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on the bottom of the left side
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

This work is accompanied by an authentication report issued by Nonprofit Organization Juming Culture and Education Foundation

Compact and Imposing, Creating Another Monument to Taichi
Rare Post-2000 Ju Ming Sculpture Using Heterogenous Materials

In the 1990s, Ju Ming held large and important exhibitions at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the United Kingdom, Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan and Place Vendome in Paris, events that made his "Taichi Series" of works internationally renowned and his best-known artistic oeuvre. After 2000, Ju was recognized as a master at producing large sculptures and began to realize his own self challenges by incorporating different materials into his art. Completed in 2012, the pieces Taichi Series – Preparation for Underarm Strike (Lot 56) and Taichi Series – White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Lot 57) were made from granite and fossilized coral respectively. As such these works marked an important departure from Ju Ming's frequent use of wood, bronze and stainless steel over the preceding three decades, indicating an evolution and expansion in the medium employed by the artist. In addition, only one version of each work was produced and the materials used were particularly rare, with the second piece the only work of fossilized coral by Ju Ming on the market, making it particularly rare and valuable.

The Incremental Accumulation of Power Incarnate
Fossilized Coral Preparation for Underarm Strike

Fossilized coral, sometimes referred to as an "organic gemstone", is a product of millions of years of crustal movement, high pressure, high temperature and crystallization, the combination of which creates rare collectible items decorated with colourful chrysanthemum patterns. Ju Ming's Taichi Series – Preparation for Underarm Strike was crafted from a large piece of round and smooth, orange coloured, fossilized coral. It is elegant in form and has a warm hue, imbued with a tightly arranged natural small daisy pattern, creating a piece that is beautiful and moving. Ju Ming selected the simple and voluminous "underarm strike" for his Taichi Series as a vehicle for expressiveness. The sturdy cross-structure, ensures the power inherent in looseness, stillness, calmness and fixedness is in constant movement, while the blooming flower petals in the work are akin to a vast power bursting forth from the depths of self-awareness, breathing in and exuding vast mindfulness as a testament to artist's high ambition.

Wonderful Form and Rhyme of Natural Beauty
Dark Black Granite White Crane Spreads Its Wings

The second work, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, is made from black granite and has a solid texture. In terms of colour, the piece ingeniously alludes to the Yin and Yang symbol. The dark blackness and solid bearing of the work is imbued with the charm of ink which transports viewers to the spiritual space of Taichi when meditating. In addition, the gold strand pattern that exudes from the work appears as if connected to the channels in the body of the martial arts practitioner through which vital energy flows, transformed into the calm pulse of Taichi "Qi". Moreover, the ethereal and elegant Taichi style of the "White Crane Spreading its Wings", creates an impression as if the crane is dancing, with the posture of wings spread about to take flight achieving the same effect. In this work, the left arm of the figure is elevated while its right arm is curved around, the body extended in a way that highlights a vitality of spirit. This combination of natural beauty and Taichi rhythm showcases a powerful spiritual resonance through which Ju Ming's sculptures have the unique ability to move the human heart.

Price estimate:
HKD 120,000 – 180,000
USD 15,400 – 23,100

Auction Result:
HKD: 264,000