ILLUSTRATED
Li Chen in Beijing - In Search of Spiritual Space, Asia Art Center,Taipei, 2008, color illustrated, p. 126 (similar version)

The highest excellence is blessing water.
Water is benevolent, a merit to all being;
Always steady and non-competing;
It dwells in places abhorred by most people;
Thus, it is closest to Dao.
Best be like water.
Live in the right place;
Keep your heart at peace;
Communicate with honesty;
Speak with trust;
Rule with legitimacy;
Act according to your capabilities;
Move at the right time;
Only the non-competing shall
have no resentment.
- Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching)

Derived from the “Blessing Water (ruo shui)” chapter of the Tao Te Ching, the term itself means that truly selfless moral deeds and goodness should be like water, in that they should not be done in competition with others for purposes of self-interest. Even in low or difficult positions, contentment and delight can always be maintained. Moreover, one should have the ability to adapt to any environment in an all encompassing manner, and in harmony with their surroundings. The term also suggests maintaining credibility and punctuality when dealing with people, and cultivating oneself and achieving Tao without conflict.

Li Chen practices a complex and elaborate wood carving method that simplifies complexities, and elevates the lines of the rounded form to a spiritual level of support. Having meditated for many years on how to portray warm-hearted works that belong to a modern spirit, Li Chen has not only sublimated aesthetic concepts of artistic creation, but also extends aesthetics to a pure and perfect harmony with humanity.

Li Chen generously uses modern plastic arts, while incorporating a internalization and reshaping of a rustic philosophy achieved after a period of self-cultivation of reading sutra. Leading the direction of Eastern sculpture, he brings a new appearance and expression to the field. At its core, this work, Blessing Water, sets the highest imaginations in Chinese thought over a thousand years regarding “goodness”, while presenting intangible connotations as figurative sculptures. The artist imbues a thick and heavy texture to the work to convey the boundless wisdom of Xu Gu. The appearance of a bowing head and open arms signifies modesty, humility, tolerance, and an embodiment of goodness. A good natured expression, closed eyes, and open arms provides the work with a calm and stable texture and rhyme. At the same time, it draws viewers into a space for exquisite imaginations. Furthermore, this also enables his creations to highlight the introspective and restrained philosophies of Chinese culture that have been nearly submerged in the contemporary time and space.