Elysium Buddha

At this stage in Li Chen’s Spiritual Journey Through the Great Ether series of personality sculptures, he has completed the impressionist mode of sculpting his works outward appearance. In Elysium Buddha (Lot 117), we see the hands folded gently, eyes closed meditatively, spirit profoundly full, body completely relaxed, with a deeply joyful presence. As a kind of both human and Buddha like expression... leaving one feeling deeply attached to those common affections of the human spirit, mindful of the little kindnesses we show one another when we embrace the soul and abandon the allure of the physical world, Li Chen masterfully migrates the character of the work’s personality as if a balloon gently floating carefree astride the clouds amidst the mountaintops. Buddhist personages may also embrace the manner of the world, full of spirit and rich detail, so that we can visually appreciate their intimacy and playfulness engaged with the emotions of the world. This more than illustrates how the artistic life amongst our lives, expresses the world beyond and its ever present call, escaping from this world, in a frail, veneer superego.