Riding the Wind

Riding the Wind is taken from the "Spiritual Journey through the Great Ether" series. The use of silver foil or silver paint is one of the distinctive techniques featured in this series. Inspired by the Daoist concepts of 'Qi' (energy) and 'You' (wandering), Li Chen also takes inspiration from the formless cloud in envisaging the design of his sculpture. While 'Qi' is an abstract concept, Li Chen renders it in a tangible expression that evokes the state of the wandering soul. Silver symbolizes the ethereal soul which, floating as a mass of formless cloud, leads humans to enter nirvana. Through the texture of silver, Li Chen turns the weighty bronze sculpture into a delicate mass of cloud. This intricate transformation of "the lightness of weight" is what distinguishes Li Chen from other artists. He once mentioned that the use of silver as the medium is intended to create contrast between the real and the illusory. Drawing on this experimentation, Li Chen took the concept further in his art; with Riding the Wind as the basis, he created the "Ethereal Cloud" series in 2011. In addition, a closer look at the lively facial expression on Riding the Wind reflects the way in which Li Chen instills comical, humorous elements into the design of his sculpture to close the distance between the artwork and the viewer. Speaking of this artistic treatment, Li once said, "I hope my work will be delightful and interesting, and that it will bring a genuine smile to people's faces when they see it." Li Chen hopes to enrich people's lives with philosophical reflections that embody both the material and the spiritual. In merging solemn tradition with innovative and contemporary technique, Li Chen always takes a surprising approach to his art, bringing forth a wisdom and vitality that are humorous and carefree.