The Integration of Life and Art: Zhu Ming's Sculptural Arts

In the history of Chinese art in the 20th century, Chinese and Western cultures have constantly collided with each other and been integrated. Integrating Chinese and Western art creation concepts was a natural choice for a generation of Chinese artists who have received the edification of Chinese and Western cultures and arts. They had an innate reverence for the Chinese traditional culture with profound artistic conceptions. However, they also had a keen appreciation and deep resonance of the Western art, especially the modern art that emphasizes expression of personalities. Zhu Ming is a representative of this group of artists. His talent, diligence and good inheritance from his teacher enable him to fully realize his potential on the basis of the predecessors. He has adhered to the perseverance spirit in art from his apprenticeship to artistic turning, from native land sentiment to Taiji feelings, and from colors of the world to the natural creation. He compares art to self-cultivation, thus showing the artistic realm of pursuing natural laws and finally returning to his heart. Zhu Ming's sculptures have drawn their materials from real life, expressed the philosophy of life, embodied natural charm, absorbed the spirit of nature, had chaotic and uniform expression forms, and shaped into large blocks as if being cut with swords and axes, which has shown the relaxed attitude of Zhu Ming in creating the sculptures. Zhu Ming has created a series of sculptures that contain both profound oriental cultural connotations and unique characteristics. And he is a model of heavyweight in the contemporary inheritance and development of Chinese sculpture art.