Ju Ming

Ju Ming (1938–2023), whose real name was Chu Chuan-tai, was a Taiwanese sculptor and honorary doctorate recipient from Tongxiao, Miaoli. He began studying sculpture and painting under Master Li Jin-chuan at the age of fifteen, and formally entered the field of artistic creation at the age of thirty, becoming a student of Yang Ying-feng. His early works, the "Hometown Series," depicted agricultural and pastoral life and local culture, imbuing his art with a strong sense of rural life and establishing his important position in the Taiwanese art world, while also demonstrating a deep concern for humanity and life.

Subsequently, Ju Ming created the "Tai Chi Series," condensing the physical movements of Tai Chi into wood carvings, simplifying the forms and adding spiritual connotations, thus creating a new look for Taiwanese sculpture. The "Human World Series," on the other hand, uses a technique of de-emphasizing form to depict the myriad aspects of life, presenting delicate emotions and a sense of everyday existence. These two series combine tradition and modernity, spirituality and secularity, making Ju Ming's sculptural style unique and earning him high recognition from the international art world.

Ju Ming dedicated his life to art education and promotion, founding the Ju Ming Museum, which houses over 2,500 works, embodying the philosophy that "art is a form of spiritual practice, cultivating the seeds of art." His works have been exhibited not only in Taiwan but also in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and have received numerous prestigious international and domestic awards, including an honorary doctorate in art from Fu Jen Catholic University, the Executive Yuan Cultural Award, and the Fukuoka Asian Culture and Arts Award. With his boundless passion and creativity, he propelled Taiwanese art onto the world stage, becoming a representative master of contemporary sculpture.