Ju Ming (朱銘), a world-class Taiwanese contemporary sculptor, passed away on April 22 at the age of 85. Culture Minister Shih Che expressed his sincere condolences upon hearing the news and stated that the artworks of Ju exhibit abundant vitality and have been recognized by all walks of life. Ju's works are displayed in many of the world's most important cities, heightening awareness of Taiwan through his creations, Minister Shih added.
Born in Tongsiao, Miaoli in 1938, Ju began his career at the age of 15 and became an apprentice to the famous local artisan Lee Chin-chuan (李金川). Later, he studied modern sculpture with the master sculptor Yang Yuyu (楊英風). In 1976, he rose his prominence in Taiwan's art scene following his first solo exhibition at the National Museum of History. He is regarded as a symbol of the nativist movement in Taiwan in the 1970s because his creation fused the spirit of traditional woodcarving and modern sculpture, blending the expression of modern Western forms with an Eastern spiritual.
Ju constantly broke new ground, turning his creative talent into innovative works by working in diverse mediums such as wood, clay, sponge, bronze, and stainless steel in the combination of sculpture, installation and performance art. His works range from the abstract and ever-flowing "Taichi Series (太極系列)," which cemented his position in Taiwan's sculpture community and propelled his fame onto the global stage, to the "Living World Series (人間系列)," which captures the nuances of mundane objects. His later work "Cube (立方體)" broke away from conventional forms and delved into exploring the inner queries of human beings.
Previously, Ju held solo exhibitions in several museums including the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taitung Art Museum, and Pingtung Art Museum. His works were displayed in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, America, England, France, Germany, and Japan, showcasing Taiwan's strong cultural content to the world.
Ju devoted his life to sculpture creation and art education. Due to his exceptional performance, he was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons and won the National Award for Arts, Executive Yuan's National Cultural Award, Presidential Culture Awards, and Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize. In addition, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Art at Fu Jen Catholic University.
Ju attributed his success to Taiwanese society. In 1999, he founded the Juming Museum (朱銘美術館) in Jinshan with the concept of "planting the seeds of art in the soil of Taiwan." The establishment of the museum not only presents the artist's artistic development process but also represents the artist's greatest contribution and feedback to society.