Lot Description
JU MING
(ZHU MING, Chinese, B. 1938)
Taichi Series - Fly to Strike
signed in Chinese; numbered '3/20' (engraved on the base)
bronze sculpture
sculpture: 60 x 70 x 100 cm. (23 5/8 x 27 1/2 x 39 3/8 in.)
with base: 61 x 82 x 120 cm. (24 x 32 1/4 x 47 1/4 in.)
edition 3/20
Executed in 1988
銅雕 雕塑
版數︰3/20
1988年作
簽名︰朱銘
Provenance
The Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, China
Pre-Lot Text
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
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Lot Notes
Compared to the varied texture of wood, bronze and stone sculptures demonstrate steady and dense volume due to solidity of the materials. Both in terms of its posture and modelling, Taichi Series - Fly to Strike (Lot 1213) exhibits a brand-new sense of power and visual layer; the "match" is no longer frozen positioning of defense and attack on the same planar, it takes place in mid-air to highlight more closely the intense dueling movement of defense and attack; by lifting upward the position of the sculpture, Ju Ming renders the sculpture approachable from different angles, allowing the audience to participate and appreciate the force and energy flowing between the duelers. Being a rare simple creation, the Taichi Series (Lot 1214) particularly reflects the artist's concision and simplification in modelling; the sculpture has its left foot standing firm on the ground as the centre of gravity, its arms are stretching out in a posture capable of both defending and attacking, creating vigorous tension between advancement and retreatment.
According to Chinese Buddhist history, Bodhidharma followed the Mahayana doctrine, integrated Chinese culture and founded the Zen Buddhism. A large block is used to represent the flying sleeve, Bodhidharma (Lot 1216) has its centre of gravity slightly shifted to the left, as if it is moving forward, representing the famous classical allusion of "crossing the Yangtze River on a Reed ". Bodhisattva (Lot 1215) is delineated with sharp, clean lines and has its dress simplified, although it is made of hard, tough bronze, the sculpture still exhibits the Bodhidharma's merciful air of salvaging all living creation. Mother and Child (Lot 1217) captures the scene of a cow leading a calf, their proudly lifted head and bended legs suggest that they are struggling across the mud, and at the same time manifested the diligence traditionally symbolized by cattle.
