Lot 33

Ode to Art Gallery, Singapore
Private collection, Melbourne

Li Chen: In Search Of Spiritual Space, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China, 2008 (another example)

Li Chen: In Search Of Spiritual Space, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China, 2008, p.106 (illus, another example)

Li Chen is a celebrated Taiwanese sculptor whose work captivates through its spiritual depth and minimalist aesthetics. Known for his large-scale sculptures that draw heavily on Buddhist principles, Li Chen explores themes of serenity, balance, and the human spirit. His profound devotion to Buddhism is unmistakable in his work, as his sculptures embody a sense of inner tranquillity and enlightenment.

Born in 1963 in Yunlin, Taiwan, Li Chen's artistic journey began early. He pursued arts and crafts during high school and delved into modern sculpture in the early 1980s under the mentorship of Hsieh Tong-liang. (1) While contemporary sculptural forms initially caught his attention, it was traditional Buddhist figurative sculpture that truly resonated with him. His early experiences crafting Buddhist icons were pivotal, providing him with technical skills and a deep understanding of materiality.

Reflecting on this foundational period, Li Chen recounts: "For about six months, I created traditional Buddhist icons in a factory. After my military service, I became an assistant to a sculptor and continued making Buddhist sculptures. However, I considered it craft, not art, so I didn't sign my work." (2) This reflection reveals the internal tension Li Chen felt between the spiritual reverence of the traditional forms and his desire for personal artistic expression.

By 1992, he began to sense the need to transcend traditional Buddhist sculpture, although the process of breaking away was not immediate. "I only produced one piece a year until 1997 because the traditional was a burden-it's difficult to break away from. Tradition is safe," (3) he notes. It took him seven years to develop his own distinct sculptural voice, a journey he describes as both arduous and liberating. "From that moment on, I felt truly free," (4) he explains, marking his shift from crafting religious icons to creating works infused with his personal vision.

Li Chen's distinctive style is characterized by smooth, rounded forms and his use of black, white, and bronze. These elements give his sculptures a timeless, almost ethereal quality, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary minimalism. His attention to detail is meticulous, with each piece reflecting an unwavering dedication to technique. As his body of work has evolved, there is a noticeable shift from the intricate detail of his early sculptures to the more simplified, yet profound, forms of his later pieces.

The simplification in his work is reminiscent of the famous words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince: "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." This philosophy resonates strongly when comparing Li Chen's early detailed works to the more abstract forms of his later pieces, where he strips away unnecessary complexity to reveal the essence of the subject.

One of the standout pieces from Li Chen's later period is Visiting Fairyland 2004, lot 33, part of his Spiritual Journey through the Great Ether series. This series marks a significant departure from traditional sculpture, as Li Chen delves into more personal and metaphysical themes. Visiting Fairyland exemplifies this shift, blending Eastern philosophy with modern sculptural techniques. The title suggests a figure from an imaginary, mystical realm, evoking a sense of wonder and playfulness. The character appears approachable, embodying the lighter aspects of human nature. It's as though Li Chen invites us to find joy in the simplicity of life, encouraging us not to take ourselves too seriously.

In Visiting Fairyland and his broader body of work, Li Chen melds the sacred and the secular, the traditional and the modern, achieving a harmony that speaks to both the soul and the senses. His sculptures, with their serene simplicity and spiritual resonance, invite us into a space of contemplation, encouraging a deeper connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Wiebke Brix
Head of Art

(1) Ian Findlay-Brown, Li Chen-In Search of spiritual Space, Asia Art Centre, 2008, artist quotes, p.12 -15
(2) Ibid.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ibid.