Remembering Ju Ming 朱銘, Sculptor and Artist

Written by Deborah Lau-Yu

images: Juming Museum, South China Morning Post, Artnet, Taiwan Times

Sculptor Ju Ming works on a sculpture in an undated photograph. Photo: from Taiwan Times + photogrpahy by Juming Culture and Education Foundation

On April 22, 2023, the art world was saddened by the passing of sculptor Ju Ming 朱銘 who was aged 85. He was an internationally-renowned Taiwanese sculptural artist best known for his abstracted, blocky bronze and steel sculptures that masterfully depict human forms with unexpected sharp-edged shapes and a modern palette. A large number of his works are on permanent display in public areas around the world. His work employed minimalistic geometric forms, while letting the unique qualities of the medium to be brought out and shine, allowing the natural beauty and qualities of materials he used to be easily appreciated by those who would encounter his work.

Statues by sculptor Ju Ming are displayed at the Gateway Plaza in Keelung in June last year. Photo- Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times

A giant in Chinese Art, he mastered the iconic representation of human figures at large, especially in Tai Chi and Buddhist poses. Of his own portfolio, one of his best known series is a 62-piece series of abstract statues of people doing Taichi posts — the Taichi Series. With these cultural themes being prominent in his work, he made a significant impact on broadening appreciation of Art referencing Chinese cultural heritage worldwide. He was one of the most largely recognised contemporary artists from Asia.

Ju’s “Living World Series – Lining Up” (2002) outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo- Felix Wong

Ju Ming with two of his works at an exhibition of his sculptures at Place Vendome in Paris, France on December 4, 1997. Photo- Getty

Born in 1938 in Tongxiao (通霄), Taiwan, Ju Ming first entered the art world when he apprenticed for a wood carver when he was only 15. It was then that he learned the basics of painting and sculpture under his teacher. In 1959, he opened his own studio and focussed on refining his carving skills, and his work became greater known internationally in the 1980’s. Ju Ming has had major exhibitions all around the world, including in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg and Paris, France. He received critical praise for his 2009 Living World series titled Imprisonment, which explored themes related to spirituality through imagery of cages and confinement. Today, Ming’s works are held in the collections of the National Museum of Singapore, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and the Ju Ming Museum in New Taipei, among others. He lived and worked between his home in Taiwan and New York in the USA. His work is also on display at several landmarks in Hong Kong, such as the Exchange Square (Central District) and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (Tsim Sha Tsui). In 1996, the Chinese government also commissioned Ju Ming to create a monumental figure, Tai-Chi Single Whip for the Bank of China, in Hong Kong’s tallest building at the time. This sculpture, ‘Tai-Chi Single Whip,’ was also a part of the inaugural 2005-2007 Vancouver Biennale Exhibition here in Canada, and was installed in Montreal’s Victoria Square as a part of the international initiative by François Odermatt and corporate sponsors in 2006. 

One of sculptor Ju Ming’s Taichi sculptures is pictured at the Juming Museum in New Taipei City in an undated photograph. Photo- Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times.jpeg

He has been referred to as the ‘Father of Modern Sculpture in China.’ It is remarkable that Ju Ming forged and maintained a signature style that is recognized throughout the art world, over such a long period of time of his art career.Ju’s largest and most notable contribution to Taiwan’s cultural scene is the Juming Museum, the region’s largest outdoor collection of outdoor sculptures by several local sculptors and located in New Taipei City’s Jinshan District (金山). A stunning and pristine open area of over 110,000 square meters (12 hectares), the park has scenic views of the ocean and mountains. Over 2000 of his own work is displayed in this museum that he spent 12 years of his life and all of his life savings to build.

Ju Ming, Living World Series - Painted Wood, 1996

Ju Ming, Living World Series — Ballet

We are grateful for Ju Ming and his sculptural work that continues to bring so much light and wonder into our world, and transcends generations. Recently, a member of our editorial team picked up a picture book in Taiwan that helps to capture his story in a way that young children can learn about his art in the early stages. Even in the illustrative depictions, we can feel the life, human spirit and passion for culture in his every creation! As we begin to travel the world freely again, and most of Asia is fully open after the pandemic, be sure to pay special attention to moments that the late sculptor left us in many major cities!

SPonsored by FERRIS WHEEL PRESS

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