Tag Archives: Taiwan

Ju Ming 朱銘 (b. 1938 – d. 2023)

Ju Ming sculptures have been exhibited internationally, including major exhibitions presented by iPreciation in Singapore.

About Ju Ming

Ju Ming was a Taiwanese sculptor known for transforming traditional wood carving into a powerful modern sculptural language. Throughout his career, he experimented with a wide range of materials, including wood, bronze, ceramics, foam, and stainless steel. As a result, his sculptures combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression.

Over time, Ju Ming gained international recognition for his large-scale works and distinctive visual style. Today, his sculptures can be found in museums and public spaces across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Early Life and Apprenticeship

Ju Ming was born in 1938 in Miaoli County, Taiwan. Because his family faced financial hardship, he left school at an early age. At fifteen, he began an apprenticeship with the temple sculptor Lee Chin-chuan.

During this training, he learned traditional wood-carving techniques and developed strong craftsmanship skills. However, Ju Ming soon realized that he wanted to pursue a more personal artistic path. Therefore, he began exploring new approaches to sculpture.

A major turning point came in 1968 when he studied under the modern sculptor Yang Yuyu. Under Yang’s guidance, Ju Ming began to rethink sculpture as a form of contemporary artistic expression. Consequently, his work gradually moved away from traditional craft and toward modern sculpture.

Artistic Development

A major turning point occurred in 1968 when Ju Ming became a student of the modern sculptor Yang Yuyu. Under Yang’s guidance, he learned to think about sculpture in a more contemporary way.

Moreover, Yang encouraged him to express personal emotions and philosophical ideas through form. As a result, Ju Ming began experimenting with abstraction and bold sculptural shapes.

During the 1970s, his work gained significant attention in Taiwan. In fact, his first solo exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei in 1976 received widespread praise and helped establish his reputation as a leading sculptor.

Major Sculptural Series

Ju Ming created several important sculptural series that defined his career.

The Taichi Series

In the late 1970s, Ju Ming developed the Taichi Series, which became one of his most iconic bodies of work. The series draws inspiration from the philosophy and movements of Tai Chi.

Through simplified forms and bold gestures, the sculptures capture the balance between motion and stillness. Moreover, Ju Ming reduced the human figure to powerful geometric shapes, emphasizing the spirit rather than realistic detail.

As a result, the Taichi sculptures convey both physical movement and inner energy. This series played a major role in establishing Ju Ming’s international reputation.

The Living World Series

After the success of the Taichi works, Ju Ming turned his attention to everyday life. Consequently, he began developing the Living World Series in the 1980s.

Unlike the spiritual focus of the Taichi sculptures, this series reflects scenes from contemporary society. For example, the sculptures portray people at work, in leisure activities, or interacting with one another.

In addition, Ju Ming used a wide range of materials, including bronze, stone, and stainless steel. Because of this experimentation, the figures appear lively, expressive, and relatable. The series eventually became one of the artist’s most expansive and enduring projects.

International Recognition

From the 1980s onward, Ju Ming gained widespread international recognition. His sculptures were exhibited in major cities such as Paris, London, Tokyo, and New York.

Meanwhile, collectors and institutions increasingly acquired his works. As a result, Ju Ming became widely regarded as one of the most important modern sculptors from Taiwan.

In 2007, he received the prestigious Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Asian culture.

The Juming Museum

Ju Ming later dedicated much of his energy to creating the Juming Museum in New Taipei City. He personally invested his resources to build the museum and donated thousands of works to its collection.

After more than a decade of development, the museum opened in 1999 as a large outdoor sculpture park. Today, it houses many of his major works and serves as a center for art education and cultural exchange.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Selected Group Exhibitions

Awards

  • 2010 | Art Monaco Award for Living World Series
  • 2007 | 18th Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize – Art and Culture Prize, Japan
  • 2004 | 24th National Cultural Award of the Republic of China
  • 2002 | 2nd Enku Grand Award, Gifu, Japan
  • 2000 | 4th Tokyo Creative Award conferred to Ju Ming Museum, Japan
  • 1998 | Fok Ying Tung Award, Hong Kong
  • 1976 | Chinese Literature and Art Award
  • 1976 | Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award – Taiwan
  • 1967 | Third Prize for Sculpture, Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition
  • 1966 | Prize of Excellence for Sculpture, Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition

Selected Public Collections

  • Canada Botanical Gardens, Canada
  • St Catherine’s College, Oxford University, UK
  • Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University, UK
  • University of Cambridge, UK
  • Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Israel
  • National Museum of Singapore, Singapore

For the full list of exhibitions, art fairs, awards and collections, please contact the gallery at enquiry@ipreciation.com.

Further Information

For further information on Ju Ming and his work, please refer to the following institutional and reference resources:

Institutional Resources

Market and Auction Records

Images of Artworks

                             

Ah Leon 陳景亮 (b. 1953)

About Ah leon

Ah Leon is widely recognised as one of Taiwan’s most accomplished ceramic artists. In particular, he is known for transforming clay into highly realistic forms that challenge perception. As a result, his works blur the boundary between material and illusion.

At the same time, his practice bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary conceptual art. Therefore, his work continues to engage audiences across cultures and contexts.

Early Life and Training

Born in 1953 in Taiwan, Ah Leon began his formal education at the National Taiwan Academy of Arts, where he graduated in 1976. He later apprenticed with master potters across Taiwan between 1978 and 1982. Through this hands-on experience, he developed a deep understanding of ceramic techniques and material processes.

In addition, he participated in an artist-in-residence programme in the United States in 1982. This exposure broadened his artistic perspective and introduced new approaches to sculpture and installation. Consequently, his work began to move beyond tradition while still retaining its technical foundation.

Artistic Practice and Concept

Ah Leon’s work is often described as trompe l’oeil, a technique that creates an illusion of reality. However, rather than using paint, he achieves this effect through clay. For instance, he replicates materials such as wood and tofu with remarkable precision. As a result, viewers often question what they are seeing.

Moreover, this contrast between appearance and material creates a unique sensory experience. While the surface suggests softness or organic texture, the object remains ceramic. Therefore, his works operate between realism and fabrication.

In many cases, this visual deception introduces an element of humour and surprise. At the same time, it encourages viewers to reconsider their assumptions about materiality and perception.

Illusion and Material Transformation

A defining feature of Ah Leon’s practice is his ability to manipulate clay into convincing imitations. For example, his ceramic “wood” structures replicate grain, texture, and age with extraordinary detail. Similarly, his tofu-like forms convey softness despite their solid composition.

Because of this transformation, his works challenge the viewer’s sense of touch and sight. In other words, what appears familiar becomes unfamiliar upon closer inspection. Consequently, the experience becomes both visual and conceptual.

Furthermore, this approach connects to broader ideas of memory and perception. As a result, his works often evoke recognition while simultaneously disrupting it.

Exhibitions and International Presence

Since the mid-1980s, Ah Leon has exhibited extensively across Asia, Europe, and the United States. His works have been shown in major institutions, including the National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona. In addition, exhibitions at the American Museum of Ceramic Art and other international venues have reinforced his global presence.

Notably, his large-scale installations, such as bridge-like ceramic structures, have demonstrated both technical mastery and conceptual ambition. As a result, his exhibitions often create immersive environments rather than isolated objects.

Collections and Recognition

Ah Leon’s works are held in prominent museum collections worldwide. These include the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition, his works are part of major collections in Taiwan and other regions.

Because of this institutional recognition, his work has gained both critical and historical significance. Moreover, his continued presence in exhibitions highlights his relevance within contemporary ceramic practice.

Legacy and Impact

Beyond technical skill, Ah Leon’s contribution lies in redefining the possibilities of ceramics. Instead of treating clay as a purely functional or decorative medium, he transforms it into a conceptual tool. Consequently, his work expands how ceramics are understood within contemporary art.

At the same time, his practice reflects a dialogue between tradition and innovation. While rooted in classical training, it consistently evolves through experimentation. Therefore, his work continues to influence both artists and audiences internationally.

Education

  • 1978 – 1982 | Apprenticed with Master Potters, Taiwan
  • 1976 | Graduated from Taiwan National Academy of Arts, Taiwan

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Selected Group Exhibitions

  • 2000 | Selections from the Allan Chasanoff Ceramic Collection, Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, NC, USA
  • 2002 | Four Excellent Ceramists in Taiwan, National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan

Selected Public Collections

  • 2010 | American Museum Of Ceramic Art , CA, USA
  • 2010 | Taipei County Hakka Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2010 | Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX, USA
  • 2009 | Museum of Arts and Design, NY, USA
  • 2003 | Asian Art Museum San Francisco. CA, USA
  • 2003 | Johnson Museum of Art, NY, USA
  • 2003 | Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin, USA
  • 2002 | National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2001 | Ichon Ceramics Museum, Ichon, Korea
  • 2001 | Taipei County Yingko Ceramics Museum, Taiwan

For full list of exhibitions and collections, please contact the gallery at enquiry@ipreciation.com

Images of artworks