Bronze sculpture Edition: 3/30

30×31×22 cm. 11 3/4×12 1/4×8 5/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and numbered on the bottom of back side

LITERATURE
1990, The Sculpture of the Twelve Animals by Ju Ming, Caves Art Center, Taipei
PROVENANCE
Caves Art Center, Taipei
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Caves Art Center, Taipei

Form and Spirit in Harmony, Crafting a Universe
Ju Ming's Artistic Vision, Born from Mastery of Material

Among Ju Ming's most iconic creations, the Taichi Series, meticulously sculpted throughout the 1980s and 1990s, stands as the pinnacle of his ability to integrate tradition with modernity. This series has been the subject of major solo exhibitions at the Max Hutchinson Gallery in New York, Exchange Square in Hong Kong, Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the UK, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan. Works such as Single Whip, Boxing, and Arch have become widely acclaimed, cementing Ju Ming's international reputation. His artistic evolution within this series is profound-beginning with single Tai Chi movements, progressing to yin-yang dual combat forms, and culminating in the unified structure of the Arch, embodying the oneness of man and nature. With bold sculptural strokes and profound philosophical depth, Ju Ming has inscribed an unparalleled artistic milestone in his Taichi Series. Two exemplary works from his peak creative period in the 1990s, Taichi Series - Boxing (Lot 14) and Taichi Series - Arch (Lot 15), are presented here.

Tension in Balance, Precision in Motion

At its core, Tai Chi is a dialectic of opposites-void and substance, motion and stillness, hardness and softness, slowness and speed-where yin and yang coexist in a perpetual cycle of renewal. This philosophy is deeply embedded in Taichi Series - Boxing. The work captures two martial artists engaged in combat, one attacking, the other defending; one crouching, the other standing. Amidst this dynamic interplay of tension and release, a sense of harmony and balance emerges, imbuing the sculpture with narrative depth, rhythmic movement, and philosophical reflection.

The left figure takes a firm stance, stepping forward into a deep bow stance, crouching low while raising his right arm in a sweeping arc, poised to strike. From behind, his C-shaped body resembles a drawn bow, seemingly ready to unleash its energy in a sudden pounce. In contrast, the right figure is structured like an intricate Luban lock, his body interwoven with multiple intersecting planes, exuding a densely layered offensive stance. His most striking feature is his hands: arms extended, hands overlapping, forming a pincer-like attack in perfect symmetry. His legs mirror this duality-one thrust forward, the other bent back-while his waist twists left, his hips jut right, and his head dramatically arches backward, revealing immense core strength.

Together, these two warriors embody the essence of Tai Chi-seamless transitions between attack and defence, the interplay of resistance and harmony. The rough, grainy texture of the bronze intensifies the sculpture's dynamic energy, as if the figures are breathing and shifting within the space, forging an intricate spatial relationship. In this way, Ju Ming's mastery vividly manifests the dualistic essence of Tai Chi.

The Taichi Arch: An Eternal Cycle of Coexistence

By the 1990s, after two decades of refining his Taichi Series, Ju Ming's vision had transcended individual or dual combat. He sought to express a grander philosophy-one that embodied the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the cosmos. To achieve this, he introduced the architectural form of the arch, employing interdependent space and the cyclical flow of energy to transform Taichi movements into a singular, unified structure. The Taichi Series - Arch thus represents the ultimate culmination of his Taichi Series. This particular Arch is rendered in Ju Ming's signature woodcarving style, where the natural grain of the wood accentuates the fluidity of Taichi energy. It stands as a profound representation of the harmony between man and nature.

In this composition, one figure grounds himself firmly, pressing against the earth while pushing forward in a powerful arching motion. The other figure advances steadily, countering with a defensive block, his legs rooted yet poised for attack or retreat-achieving a perfect equilibrium between force and flow. Notably, Ju Ming employs an exaggerated backward-arching posture, maximising the expression of human flexibility and strength. Though the two figures appear locked in opposition, their limbs remain tightly connected, forming a central void that unites the composition as a whole. This echoes the elegant "moon gates" found in classical Chinese gardens, where structure and emptiness coexist in aesthetic harmony. The Taichi Series - Arch brilliantly encapsulates the fundamental principle of Tai Chi-the perpetual interchange of void and substance, opposition and unity. Though the two figures seem engaged in combat, their intertwined stance conveys the ceaseless circulation of energy, much like the eternal interplay of yin and yang.

Furthermore, as a masterpiece that seamlessly integrates contemporary sculptural aesthetics with Eastern philosophy, Ju Ming's Taichi Series - Arch has been acquired as a permanent collection by several prestigious institutions. These include the Gate of Wisdom at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Gate of Health at the University of Cambridge, and an Arch displayed alongside Henry Moore's works at the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford-testaments to its significance as a modern classic of abstract Tai Chi art. The Taichi Series - Arch presented here, with its exquisite form and palpable tension, is a masterpiece of spatial and philosophical depth. Whether displayed indoors on a study table or in a gallery, it offers a window into the profound energy of Tai Chi and the intrinsic beauty of wood sculpture-a true collector's gem!

The Serpent Emerges, Supreme and Unrivalled!
Ju Ming's Twelve Chinese Zodiac - Snake, a Manifestation of Eastern Spirit

Beyond his renowned Taichi series, Ju Ming, in the late 1980s, distilled the essence of his earlier Native series-marked by meticulous observation and sculptural portrayal of animals-into a refined and precise artistic language, breathing life into the Twelve Chinese Zodiac series. As we welcome the Year of the Snake in 2025, Twelve Chinese Zodiac - Snake arrives with its auspicious aura, heralding "the little dragon bestowing blessings, and a new year unveiling grand prospects."

Coiled atop layered stone slabs, a cobra rises with its hood flared. With his deft sculptural prowess, Ju Ming captures this proud, dangerous, yet captivating creature in a pose of supreme authority. The sinuous curves of its body undulate like flowing ink, gliding and solidifying upon the bronze surface. The expanded hood resembles a majestic fan, its outward-radiating lines reinforcing an air of extraordinary distinction. Viewed from the back, the sculptor's chisel marks carve out the textured scales, their undulating patterns akin to flickering flames-evoking the divine presence of Nāga, the serpent deity of India, and Wadjet, the cobra goddess of ancient Egypt. As light and shadow dance across its surface, the sculpture exudes an aura that commands reverence.

The serpent's deep and penetrating gaze is where Ju Ming's artistry reaches its pinnacle, encapsulating both vigilance and wisdom in this singular, unwavering stare. Within its eyes lies not only the raw ferocity of the untamed but also the regal majesty of a ruler-tinged with the profound contemplation akin to that of an Eastern sage. The solemnity of the bronze medium further amplifies its dignified presence. As viewers meet the serpent's gaze, they almost seem to hear the faint rustling of scales, the subtle flickering of its forked tongue, and the whispers of ancient Eastern wisdom and mystery.

Price estimate:
HKD 40,000 - 60,000
USD 5,100 - 7,700