Ju Ming's versatility currently on view
Ju Ming's versatility currently on view
Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta
If renowned Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming enters the world annals of
art as an auspicious sculptor of t'ai chi energy, it would
certainly be no surprise.
His t'ai chi sculptures have amazed the world, and the quiet,
but powerful strength emanating from the ultimate grace that
characterizes t'ai chi movements expressed in the sculptures,
still makes an indelible impression on all who have been
fortunate enough to witness the greatness of these sculptures in
various parts of the world.
But there is more to Ju Ming than t'ai chi alone, as revealed
by his paintings, collages and painted wood sculptures on show at
the iPreciation Gallery in Singapore's Fullerton Hotel, from Nov.
9 onward.
With the theme Living World, they were created between 1985
and 2002, and while different from the simplicity and ascetic
shape of his t'ai chi series, the Living World series still seems
to have been inspired by t'ai chi, which the artist makes a point
of doing every morning.
Rather than using brute physical strength, t'ai chi is about
flexing the muscles in order that the chi (life force energy)
flows freely and the resulting equilibrium inspires awareness of
the little things in life that would otherwise drown in the
everyday buzz of activity.
T'ai chi is the first thing Ju Ming does each morning, and has
done ever since he was advised to do it to improve his posture
and develop mental discipline.
As his awareness grew by the day, he realized that there was
so much around him that was interesting, things in which he took
immense pleasure in, and a surge of creativity opened the doors
not only to using different mediums, but also to see the little
things happening around him.
Ju Ming's Living World pieces are about the ordinary things in
life, waiting in a line, napping on a riverbank and sitting in
the sun. Live exhibitions in parks or other public places have
often made passersby do a double take, as the sculptures appear
so lifelike. His large sculptures are often made of stone, wood,
steel or bronze.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the Ju Ming Open
Air Museum in the hills of Jinshan, Taipei County -- about an
hour's drive from Taipei -- will have noticed the large paintings
and collages displayed in Living World.
Gorgeous color combinations and funny collages decorate the
wall leading up from the open air to the closed spaces of the
museum.
Now for the first time in Singapore, small formats of his
diverse work are available at iPreciation.
Nineteen sculptures, measuring from 12 centimeters by 8cm by
51cm to 19cm by 27cm by 120cm, are typically made of wood and
stone and carved with rough but determined cuts.
The wooden pieces appear to have grown naturally into the
finished product, as opposed to being carved. Some come in wall-
sized wooden panels with rows of carved people, each one
different, arranged side by side in a geometrical pattern.
Other pieces come in the form of squat human figures
suggesting they are "dressed" in traditional Chinese garb, over
which the brush has painted personalized colors.
The paintings, the largest of which is 63cm by 56cm, and
collages, of which the largest is 61cm by 50cm, come in color
combinations that were visionary for the time they were created.
Fashionable violet with pink or red, sometimes blended with
yellow and black create a distinct Oriental aura, and enhance the
sometimes humorous, frivolous figures that fill his collages
using real textile that may be striped or otherwise patterned.
Meanwhile, his oil paintings often feature mannequin-like
figures against a background of flowery patterns of textiles
bursting with the joy of life.
For those who cannot afford to own the exclusive sculptures of
this master, this could be an opportunity to acquire a
collectible item from this interesting artist.
For more information:
iPreciation Gallery in the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
Tel: (65) 6339 0678
Or e-mail: marie@iPreciation.com