Taiwanese Sculptor Li Chento Hold a Solo Exhibition in the Venice Biennial / 台灣雕塑家李真應邀個展於威尼斯雙年展
◎Text by Fang-Ju Lin
The Venice Biennial, which has the reputation of being the "Cultural Olympics" and "the Mother of Biennials", has invited Taiwanese artist Li Chen to hold his solo exhibition - "Energy of Emptiness" in the biennial this year. This invitation marks Li Chen's personal success; moreover, it is the first time that a Taiwanese artist has held a large scale, complete exhibition in an international art event.
The Venice Biennial, which originated in 1885, is the most important and prestigious visual art exhibition event in the world of contemporary art. It not only leads the world's trend in art, but also creates a dialogue venue for different cultures. It is the highest academic achievement in the world of art.
Li Chen was born in Yu-Lin, Taiwan. He started his journey of art in his teens. During the long journey of his artistic creations, he never had a chance to pursue advanced study abroad because of his financial situation. Therefore, Li never had any contact with the essence of western art. However, Li immersed himself in the traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism and the inspiration from these oriental philosophies can be found in his art work. This feature attracts collectors from all over the world.
On recalling his journey in art, Li said, "After ten years of study, it took me another 10 years to let go of the burden of my own tradition, to transform, and to achieve a breakthrough." Every transformation of Li can be traced in his artwork.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts played a vital role in Li's appearance on the international art stage. The candidates of a guest solo exhibition in the Venice Biennial must be recommended by an official academic body or museum of art, before they go through a year-long strict evaluation. The director of Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Jiun-Shyan Lee, who admires and collects Li Chen's work, is the hand behind the scene that sent Li Chen onto this international art stage.
Director Lee said that this is a win-win situation, that Taiwanese art can connect with the international art community and have a chance to shine. Li's work will open the eyes of the world and show the energy, creativity, and depth of Taiwanese artists.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is the first Taiwanese museum of fine arts to be mentioned in official documents and website of The Venice Biennial.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts is the first and only official museum in Taiwan that collects Li Chen's artwork. The museum would not miss any piece of great artwork. It collected a piece of sculpture by Li, Avalokitesvara, which is representative of his wider work. It will be exhibited from the 5th of June in the Museum Square. It is a great chance for the public to admire the creativity of a local artist who was apprised by the international art world.
From the10th of June, the 15 masterpieces of Li Chen's work, including "Landscape in the Heaven", "Clear Soul", and "All in One", will be exhibited in Venice. People from all over the world will see his thought provoking interpretation of the New Oriental Spirit placed in a western setting.
◎文／無明
被世界藝術界譽為「文化界奧林匹克」和「雙年展之母」的威尼斯雙年展今年邀請台灣藝術家李真舉辦「虛空中的能量」個展，這不僅是李真的殊榮，也是台灣藝術家第一次在國際藝術殿堂大規模完整地展示。
成立於西元1885年的威尼斯雙年展已邁向第52屆，為全世界當代藝術中最具重要性與前瞻性的視覺展覽。不僅引領世界藝術潮流，創造不同文化的對話空間，也是藝術界最高的學術殿堂。
生於台灣雲林縣的李真，十幾歲就開始接觸藝術。漫長的藝術創作過程中，因為環境關係始終無緣出國留學，接觸西方藝術精髓。不過，卻也意外成就他沈浸在儒、釋、道中，東方哲學精髓轉化為藝術創作泉源在作品中展露無遺，引起國際蒐藏家的注意。
回首來時路，李真表示：「學習十年之後，要再花十年才能拋開包袱，再蛻變，然後脫繭而出」，李真一次次地蛻變，都在作品中呈現。
李真能夠順利登上國際藝術殿堂，高雄市立美術館在最關鍵時刻發揮臨門一腳，功不可沒。威尼斯雙年展的邀請個展，必須由官方學術單位、美術館的推薦，還需經過漫長的一年嚴謹評審。欣賞並蒐藏李真作品的高美館館長李俊賢仿若是他生命裡的伯樂，適時將他送上國際藝術殿堂。
李館長說，這是台灣藝術界與國際藝術界接軌並發光發熱的雙贏局面。李真的作品讓世界看到台灣本土藝術家創作能量與內涵，而高美館也是第一個正式出現在威尼斯雙年展官方文宣品及其網站上的台灣美術館。
高美館是第一個，也是全台唯一典藏李真作品的官方美術館。不會讓好的作品缺席的高美館，典藏了李真極具代表性的雕塑作品「大士」，６月５日起就會在高美館前廣場與國人見面，讓國人一睹受國際藝術界肯定的本土藝術家的創作功力。
６月10日，李真的「天界山水」、「無心海」、「合十」等15件精彩作品，就要矗立在水都威尼斯，世人將可看見「新東方精神」在西方的完美演譯。