Ju Ming, born Ju Chuan-tai on January 20, 1938, in Tongxiao, Miaoli County, Taiwan, was a sculptor whose work fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern Asian art. His journey into the world of art began at the tender age of 15 when he apprenticed under the renowned woodcarver Lee Chin-chuan. This early experience laid the foundation for his future career, instilling in him a deep understanding of traditional carving techniques and the importance of developing a unique artistic style. Ju Ming's father, Ju Li Chi, and his mother, Wang Ai, named him in honor of their combined ages, which added up to 92 at the time of his birth, hence his childhood nickname, Jiu Er, meaning "ninety-two." Despite his rural upbringing and limited formal education, Ju Ming's artistic talents were evident from an early age. After completing his apprenticeship, he opened his own studio in 1959, where he honed his skills and began to gain recognition for his work in traditional Taiwanese folk art. In 1961, Ju Ming married Chen Fu-mei, who would later become the model for one of his famous sculptures, "A Girl Playing Sand." His marriage marked the beginning of a period of artistic exploration and innovation. Ju Ming's quest for artistic growth led him to re-apprentice himself to Yuyu Yang, a prominent modernist sculptor, in 1968. Under Yang's mentorship, Ju Ming began to work on large-scale abstract pieces and experimented with a variety of materials, including copper, iron, stone, stainless steel, sponge, and ceramic. The 1970s marked a significant turning point in Ju Ming's career. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Youths of 1976 following his first solo exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei. This exhibition featured his Nativist Series, which drew from historical figures and local nostalgia. However, Ju Ming felt that these works did not fully represent his artistic potential. Encouraged by Yang, he began creating his iconic "Taichi Series" in the late 1970s, which would become his most celebrated body of work. The "Taichi Series" was inspired by Ju Ming's own practice of tai chi, a Chinese martial art that emphasizes fluid movement and balance. His sculptures in this series captured the dynamic postures and energy of tai chi practitioners, rendered in his distinctive blocky, geometric style. Ju Ming's work in the "Taichi Series" resonated with audiences both in Asia and the West, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary sculpture. In the 1980s, Ju Ming continued to gain international acclaim, with exhibitions in Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. His work was celebrated for its unique blend of Eastern spirituality and modern sculptural techniques. In 1999, he established the Ju Ming Museum in Taipei, an open-air sculpture park that houses many of his monumental sculptures and serves as a testament to his artistic legacy. Ju Ming's "Living World Series," which he began in the 1980s, reflected his keen observations of everyday life and human society. This series expanded his repertoire to include clay, sponge, copper, stainless steel, and other materials, showcasing his versatility as an artist. The "Living World Series" depicted people from various walks of life, capturing the essence of human experience in his sculptures. Throughout his career, Ju Ming received numerous accolades, including the 18th Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2007, and was honored with an honorary doctorate of art by Fu Jen Catholic University. His work has been featured in major exhibitions around the world and is permanently displayed in public spaces, such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. Ju Ming's artistic philosophy was deeply rooted in the belief that art cannot be learned solely through study but must be cultivated through practice and life experience. He saw nature as his teacher and applied this understanding to his work, creating sculptures that resonate with the rhythms and cycles of the natural world. On April 22, 2023, at the age of 85, Ju Ming passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists and art lovers around the globe. His sculptures, characterized by their tactile quality and fluidity, remain a testament to his mastery of form and his profound understanding of both traditional and modern artistic expressions. Ju Ming's life and work stand as a monument to the power of art to transcend cultural boundaries and speak to the universal human experience.

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