Underarm Strike (Taichi Series)
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1991 Chinese juniper 102.8(L) x 38(W) x 126(H) cm Signed on the back Ju Ming in Chinese and dated '91 |
Estimate
4,500,000 - 5,500,000 136,300 - 166,700
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Sold Price
5,250,000 159,091
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According to Ju Ming: "Far from being just a martial art, Taichi is a field of learning in which man imitates nature through controlled physical movements. Taichi, as it developed in ancient China, is a perfect example of the 'harmony of man and nature'. By controlling his body and its functions - the four limbs, five organs, circulation, and breathing - the study of Taichi communicates with the other natural elements and phenomena of the universe."
An esteemed Taiwanese cultural elder Yu Da-kang commented: "In my opinion, wood carving as a craft had advanced as far as it could; it is thus possible to say that this was an unprecedented development. He (Ju Ming) was able to break free from tradition and carve out a new road. In terms of concept and craft, he has gone beyond the boundaries that define the idea of the very concept (of woodcarving) to create sculptural works of great charm, skill and wit."In Yu's essay "Promoting Woodcarving as a Craft" he even compared Ju Ming favourably with the legendary modern Chinese master painter-calligrapher Qi Baishih, asserting: "If Ju Ming had any greater achievement, his place in Chinese art history would not be any less than Qi Baishih, the latter being judged in terms of his contribution to the art of Chinese painting."
References:
Liu Chang-chih, This Incision!, Ju Ming's Woodcarving Sculpture1, Te Hsin Publishing House, Kaohsiung, 1977, p. 3