The art of lifescape sculpture
Ju Ming (朱銘), one of Taiwan's pre-eminent representative sculptors, experienced a turning point in his life when, at the age of 30 in 1968, he became the student of prominent sculptor Yang Ying-feng (楊英風).
Ju rose to fame as a wood craftsman in his 20s, but his determination to become an artist had brought his career to a halt. Ju admired Yang's ability to paint and create sculptures with various materials, so he visited Yang with two woodcarving pieces which took inspiration from his mother and wife, and asked Yang to become his mentor.
During two hours of talk, Yang asked Ju: "how long would you like to learn?”, to which Ju answered: "a lifetime.” Satisfied with this answer, Yang decided to take Ju as his student and gave him the name "Ming (銘),” meaning "to keep in mind” in the hope that Ju's name would be remembered by the public in the future.
After relocating to Taipei, Ju spared no effort in his pursuance of art. During his days, he was mentored at Yang's studio; in his evenings he returned to his own studio to teach students woodcarving, and he created his own artworks late into the night.
During the seven years of mentoring, Yang helped Ju abandon the techniques that he had acquired and the forms he had previously ingrained in his mind. Yang helped and led Ju to develop his own style and aesthetic from observing details of everyday life and natural surroundings. Yang's focus on spiritual concepts in contemporary sculptures had left a profound impact on Ju's development of ideas and creations.
In 1976, Yang helped Ju hold his first solo exhibition of sculpture at the National Museum of History. Ju's sculptures received such wide acclaim that the museum had to extend the exhibition. The success of this exhibition is seen as having firmly established Ju's status in the art world.
During the 1980s Ju was criticized for his changing of style in creations, but Yang supported Ju's persistence in following his own ideas. Though they had finished the mentorship in 1979, Yang continued to influence and support Ju, and they have both played an important role in the art of modern sculpture in Taiwan.
Yang Ying-feng
Yang Ying-feng was a prolific artist who redefined the sculpture genre for Taiwan towards the end of the 20th century. From the 'East-West Gate' on Wall Street to the 'Heaven-scaling Phoenix' housed by the Beijing Olympic Stadium, his artistic impact can be traced around the globe … (read more)
Ju Ming
Ju Ming, arguably one of the most influential sculptors in contemporary Asia, works with wood, ceramics, stone, bronze, and stainless steel to create vast sculptures that reflect his philosophy on life. He is best known for his simple yet calculated creations encompassing the "Tai Chi” series and "Living World” series … (read more)
Media Gallery