Ju Ming: The Sculptor of the Taichi Series

Among the most internationally renowned artists Taiwan has produced was the sculptor Ju Ming, whose monumental works — above all his celebrated Taichi Series — stand in public spaces and museums around the world. A self-made master, he rose from humble beginnings to become a giant of modern sculpture.

Born in 1938 into a poor family, Ju began as an apprentice woodcarver, learning traditional craft before seeking out formal artistic training under a leading modern sculptor. This combination of folk craftsmanship and modern sensibility would become the foundation of his distinctive style.

His breakthrough came with works rooted in Taiwanese life and culture, but it was the Taichi Series that brought him worldwide fame. Depicting figures practising the martial art of taichi, these powerful, semi-abstract sculptures captured energy, balance and movement in solid bronze and wood, distilling the essence of the form into monumental shapes.

The Taichi works resonated internationally because they fused Eastern philosophy with modern abstract form, expressing universal ideas of harmony and force in a visual language that transcended culture. They were exhibited in major cities across the world and installed in prominent public spaces, carrying Taiwan's name abroad.

Ju's ambitions culminated in the creation of a vast open-air museum in northern Taiwan, where hundreds of his works are displayed across sweeping grounds. This museum, the labour of decades, stands as both a showcase of his art and a gift to the public, embodying his belief in art's accessibility.

Throughout his career, Ju remained grounded in the values of hard work and dedication that had carried him from a woodcarver's workshop to the world stage. His life exemplified the possibility of rising through sheer talent and perseverance, an inspiration in a society that prizes such qualities.

Ju Ming, who died in 2023, left behind a monumental legacy in every sense. His sculptures continue to move viewers around the world with their power and serenity, and he is remembered as one of Taiwan's greatest artists — a master who shaped bronze and wood into enduring expressions of the human spirit.