LI CHEN (B. 1963)

Dragon-Riding Buddha, Wisdom Bodhisattva and Fulfillment Bodhisattva

Details

LI CHEN (B. 1963)
Dragon-Riding Buddha, Wisdom Bodhisattva and Fulfillment Bodhisattva
signed in Chinese, signed and numbered 'Li Chen 1/8' (incised on the back of the stand); signed in Chinese and numbered '1/8' (incised on the lower back of Dragon-Riding Buddha, Wisdom Bodhisattva and Fulfillment Bodhisattva)
bronze sculpture
overall: 55(H) x 118 x 40 cm. (21 5/8 x 46 1/2 x 15 3/4 in.)
Dragon-Riding Buddha (middle): 49(H) x 39 x 33 cm. (19 1/4 x 15 3/8 x 13 in.)
Wisdom Bodhisattva (left): 28(H) x 26 x 20.5 cm. (11 x 10 1/4 x 8 1/8 in.)
Fulfillment Bodhisattva (right): 28(H) x 23.5 x 18 cm. (11 x 9 1/4 x 7 1/8 in.)
stand: 6(H) x 118 x 40 cm. (2 3/8 x 46 1/2 x 15 3/4 in.)
Executed in 2001
edition 1/8

Provenance

Private Collection, Asia

Literature

Asia Art Center, Li Chen: In Search of Spiritual Space- Solo Exhibition at National Art Museum of China, exh. cat.,Taipei, Taiwan, 2008 (different size version illustrated, p. 38-49, 50-57, 171, 173-176,196-197).
Singapore Art Museum, Li Chen: Mind・Body・Spirit, Li Chen Solo Exhibition at Singapore Art Museum, exh. cat., Singapore, 2010 (different size version illustrated, p. 57, 66, 94-103,116-123,183-184).
Asia Art Center, Greatness of Spirit: Li Chen Premiere Sculpture Exhibition in Taiwan, exh. cat., Taipei, Taiwan, 2012 (different size version illustrated, p. 9, 28, 57-58, 74- 79,160-161).

Exhibited

Beijing, China, National Art Museum of China, In Search of Spiritual Space, April - May 2008(different size version exhibited).
Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Li Chen : Mind Body Spirit, September - December 2009 (different size version exhibited).
Taipei, Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall & Freedom Square, Greatness of Spirit: Li Chen Premiere Sculpture Exhibition in Taiwan, November - December 2011 (different size version exhibited).
Suzhou, China, Suzhou Museum, Buddha China－Buddhist Objects in the Early Stage from the Gansu Provincial Museum, March - May 2019 (same size version exhibited).

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Lot Essay

"Dragon-Riding Buddha, Wisdom Bodhisattva and FulfillmentBodhisattva" was completed in 2001 as one of the main works inLi Chen's "Spiritual Journey Through The Great Ether" series. TheBodhisattva stands firmly, with a nebulized look that illustratessimplicity and confidence. With his right hand making a gestureand left hand holding the purifying bottle, the figure stands againstthe sky and the ground, yet radiates a peaceful quality that warmsthe onlooker's hearts. Posing beside the Sakyamuni are WisdomBodhisattva and Fulfillment Bodhisattva, the former represents"great wisdom" and the latter assumes the role of "universal virtue".The dragon itself was inspired by the design on an ancient Chinesecopper-cooking vessel, and is filled with energy and a solid sense ofliveliness. With each foot resting on a dragon ball, a lotus flower, anauspicious cloud, and heavenly fire, the dragon levitates and traversesthrough space and time. The smooth, shell-like design on the smoothback gives rise to special dragons, and this piece of work derived fromtotal imagination gives a new sense of novelty.

From the casting, Li Chen combines the dragon and the copper fillerinto one, giving the audience much room for imagination. The outlineas a whole consists of outstretched arms facing forward, giving thesculpture many visual alterations by integrating linear grooves andphysiological motions. With added facial expressions, this sculpturehas reached a whole new artistic level.

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