by Even Chen
LI Chen
Dragon-Riding Buddha
Executed in 2001
Bronze sculpture
Edition: 5/6
248 × 163 × 196 cm
“I attempt to imbue my work with a soul — to fuse spirituality and art. I hope that people who view my works will be able to sense and comprehend their inherent philosophy. Philosophy is highly significant in my work. I hope that each one of my works will enrich the life of whoever views it.”
— Li Chen
Abounding with energy and conveying a wealth of spiritual significance, Li Chen’s sculptures develop a mastery of contemporary artistic expression. From the beginning of his career, Li has relentlessly pushed the limits of his chosen medium. In 1998, he made an important breakthrough in his artistic self-discovery and developed his trademark ‘heavy-yet-light’ style. Li later increasingly emphasised the expression of spirituality in his work. From 2000 onwards, he took his art to new heights by borrowing elements from Chinese mythology as well as Buddhist and Taoist philosophy. Li’s first exhibition in Taipei took the art world by storm in 1999. Since then, he has risen to international eminence and solidified his status as one of Asia’s greatest sculptors through other large-scale exhibitions, such as ‘Energy of Emptiness and Spiritual Journey through the Great Ether’.
Dragon-Riding Buddha
A Work of Staggering Dimensions
In the garden outside his atelier, Li once put the three works of which he is most proud on display. Standing in the middle was his Dragon-Riding Buddha. This work was originally placed at the main entrance to his 2009 exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum and is thought of as the defining masterpiece of his Spiritual Journey through the Great Ether series. China Guardian (Hong Kong) honurably presents the sculpture this auction season. At 2.5 meters tall, it is currently the most imposing work by Li Chen on the market, and truly stunning to behold as well.
Cave 259 of Mogao Grottoes, Buddha Statue of Northern Wei Dynasty
Li Chen creates the Dragon-Riding Buddha in his studio.
Brimming with Energy and Spirit
Dragon-Riding Buddha is a highly evocative and multi-faceted work; from behind a fa?ade of solemn tranquility, an abundant source of energy surges forth. The dragon on the bottom has a regal expression and resembles a traditional copper shrine. A row of scales stand erect along its spine. Under its feet are various auspicious objects: a pearl, a lotus flower, a cloud, and a flame. The buddha on its back exudes a sense of majesty and inner peace. This sculpture is in fact Li’s contemporary interpretation of a Chinese legend. The buddha stands with his arms stretched open, conveying the noble ideals of tolerance and harmony. He seemingly welcomes us to cast off the shackles of our mundane existence and embrace peace and happiness.
Fernando Botero
Man on Horseback
249.9×193×132.1 cm
Beyond the Confines of the Material World
“When I create, I try to take myself into a spiritual space.”
— Li Chen
The artist’s choice of materials powerfully conveys a layer of philosophical meaning that is in keeping with the subject matter. Li Chen has an acute understanding of East Asian aesthetics; he brings out the wisdom and benevolence of his subject using minimal, curved lines that were typical of Buddhist statues from the Northern Wei period (386–534 CE). Through the use of black lacquer — a material commonly used in traditional Chinese art — Li ingeniously creates a sense of simultaneous heaviness and lightness. Different from the voluptuous sculptures of Fernando Botero and Jeff Koons, Li Chen uses this uniquely paradoxical aesthetic to convey Buddhist and Taoist notions of emptiness. For example, his sculptures resemble balloons: they appear hollow. Meanwhile, their curved lines evoke the pacifist nature of Buddhist monks. The buddha here seems to float in the air, transcending the confines of the material world in order to become one with nature.
Through his choice of material and formal traits, Li Chen successfully fuses contemporary art with a transcendental philosophy rooted in traditional Chinese culture.
Dragon-Riding Buddha was on display at Singapore Art Museum in 2009.
Dragon-Riding Buddha was on display at Taipei's Asia Art Center in 2009.