Ju Ming (Zhu Ming)

incised in Pinyin and numbered 1/6
executed in 1988, this work is number 1 from an edition of 6.

Acquired by the present owner directly from the artist in 1988

This work is in very good condition and has been cleaned and waxed. Before restoration: there is evidence of oxidization scattered across the surface of the sculpture, which is inherent to the natural aging process of the medium; light wear at the patina; and a 20-cm square mark on the left foot, presumably associated with the artist's working method. After restoration: the oxidization has been removed. The sculpture is clean and has a fresh protective wax coating across the surface. The color of the work has changed to its original state with less green and less yellow tones which are not showing in the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ju Ming’s Representative Work: Taichi Series – Single Whip
An International triumph firmly rooted in Chinese traditions

In 2011, when Ju Ming was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he gave a public lecture on the topic of “Art as Practice” which offered valuable insights into his overall creative experience. His monumental Taichi series is a collection of sculptures that launched Ju Ming into international stardom, and its creation was inspired by the artist’s personal journey studying Taichi Chuan during the 1970s. Through the training in Taichi, Ju Ming came to understand some of the most profound philosophical essence of Taoism, and proceeded to apply it to the realm of artistic exploration.

Ju Ming was originally trained in traditional carpentry from an early age. With the guidance and inspiration from his mentor Yuyu Yang, he began to let go of the intricate, detailed techniques when working with his material. Instead, he boldly adopted the approach of “reducing” – hewing, paring, shaving and cleaving, to distill and apply the spirit of Taichi, as well as the intents, or “yi”, of various Taichi movements, to the material of his sculptures. In terms of Chinese culture, Ju Ming’s creativity embodies the philosophy of awareness and action combined into one, a concept coined by the renowned Ming dynasty literati scholar Wang Yangming. His works also exhibit a sense of aesthetics that transcends the complex with sheer simplicity, displaying a rustic quality whilst conveying the work’s creative spirit. From a Western perspective, whilst Ju Ming’s Taichi series has clearly absorbed the creative nutrients from the Eastern soil, it also finds harmony with the Cubist movement as well as some aspects of Modern Abstract sculpture, bringing a new vitality to the ancient oriental culture and martial arts, consequently earning praises from renowned Chinese art historian Michael Sullivan: “His sculptures transcended the boundary of crafts as well as the academia and art salons to forge a new world of his own. They combined the classical and the popular, the enduring and the mortal, the traditional and the contemporary, the East and the West…it’s very Chinese but at the same time readily embraced by contemporary art circles around the world.”

Since its creation in the 1970s, the Taichi series has been a favourite of collectors internationally. However, in addition to private collectors, the general public also has the opportunity to enjoy his work, as a number of sculptures from this series are displayed in public spaces, corporate buildings and museums. Meanwhile, those sculptures of a smaller dimension and more appropriate for indoor display also greatly appreciated in value. Gate of Wisdom at the front entrance of the Chinese University library and Single Whip displayed in front of the Exchange Square in Central, Hong Kong are both iconic landmarks for the top academic institution and economic centre of Asia.

In addition, the imposing and majestic sculptures from the Taichi series were displayed at the St. Catherine College at Oxford University and the Biomedical Campus at Cambridge University. On 11 November 2013, Ashmolean Museum of Oxford University officially announced that Ju Ming’s Taichi Arch would become a part of its permanent collection. It sits at the entrance of the museum opposite from a sculpture by British master sculptor Henry Moore, as if they are jointly watching over the 300 years old university museum, which is also the world’s oldest. This marks another significant milestone for the international status of Ju Ming’s art works and further establishes its prestigious position in the history of art. His works are also exhibited by the Williams College Museum of Art in Massachusetts in the United States, the municipal government of Montreal, Canada as well as the Hakone Open Air Museum in Japan, among numerous other locations worldwide. As a major work in the Taichi series, Taichi Series - Single Whip is indeed an iconic symbol of Chinese martial arts and an enduring classic in the contemporary art world.