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Shiau Jon Jen

Born in 1954 in Taiwan
1988 M.F.A., Université de Paris VIII, Paris, France
1979 B.F.A., National Taiwan University of Arts, Taiwan
Shiau Jon Jen, who received training in academic sculpture during his youth, chose to further his studies in France in 1986, after reaching middle age. During his over five years in France, he worked in the studio of the modern sculpture master Cesar Baldaccini ( 1921-1998), who encouraged him to consciously develop his path as a professional artist. In 1987, while enrolled at the University of Paris VIII, he also obtained the "Professional Artist" residency qualification approved by the French Ministry of Culture.

By the final year of his stay in France, around 1990, Shiau Jon Jen seemed to have a clear understanding of his cultural differences. He shifted his focus from creating more Western-themed sculptures, particularly adept at human figure subjects, to sourcing materials from "nature," using raw wood, especially retaining the original appearance of tree bark and branches. This move reflected a return to the natural philosophy revered in Eastern culture, and he further manipulated the correspondence between virtual and real space in form.

Having spent about six years in Paris, Shiau Jon Jen encountered a lot of Western influences and underwent significant experiences and experiments. While reminiscing about his past, he recalled building a small wooden house by the stream, surrounded by a large grove of pine trees. The impressions and elements of trees became significant sources of inspiration for his earliest forest series. Initially, his language barrier in Paris created a considerable barrier, leading to a sort of self-isolation, resembling a retreat. Recollecting his previous life experiences and environments, the symbol of trees naturally emerged.

From roots, trunks, to branches and leaves, trees have a certain order of growth in nature, but Shiau's forests do not imitate nature's order itself; instead, he recombines and readjusts their order. For example, he might open up a space inside the trunk and place delicate branches inside, allowing the roots to intertwine, forming a new order. He defined it as "my tree." Between the sensuality of the axe and the grinding traces of wood texture, he reveals conceptual consciousness. On the one hand , he preserves the natural forms and textures belonging to "trees," such as wood grain cracks, knots, and burls. On the other hand, within these irregular natural forms, he injects a sense of artificial beauty derived from geometric shapes. This aesthetic balance between nature and artifice becomes a major feature of Shiau Jon Jen's wood carving creations. Within the sensual texture of nature and the rational structure of man-made, the historical or temporal traces of wood grain are deliberately preserved by the artist, while the artificial sense of geometric shapes and spatial composition manifests itself in front of the viewer with an attitude that is neither overbearing nor subservient.


PUBLIC ART

    

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
  • 2019  Imbalanced Equilibrium : Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition,Glorious  Jewel Art Center , ShangHai/ Taipei
  •       Travel in the Spirit World : Shiau Jon Jen Solo      Exhibition,DongLi Gallery,Taipei

  • 2017  Mountain Roam: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, Liang Project Co  Space, Shanghai 
  •       Keep Original: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, Jinshan Haikuo  Museum, Shanghai

  • 2014  Architect of Nature: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, Phillippe  Staib Gallery, Shanghai

  • 2013  Shiau Jon Jen Solo exhibition, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen  Memorial  Hall, Taipei
  •       Shiau Jon Jen New Collection: the Mountain Series, Red Gold  Fine  Art, Taipei

  • 2008  Transition: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, 99 Degree Art  Center, Shanghai
  •       Breathing Forest: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, FARADAY,        Taipei

  • 2006  The Image of Space: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Sculpture Exhibition,  National Museum of China, Beijing

  • 2005  From the Mountain: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Exhibition, Jeff Hsu’s  Art, Taipei

  • 1994  Relationship of Triangles: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Sculpture  Exhibition, Taipei Hanart Gallery, Taipei

  • 1992  My Forest III-Sounds: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Sculpture Exhibition,  Jeh San Tang, Taipei

  • 1990  My Forest Series I: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Sculpture Exhibition,  St.  Louis de la Salpetriere Church, Paris France
  •       My Forest Series II: Shiau Jon Jen Solo Sculpture Exhibition,  Kuan-Lin Arts Center, Paris France

1985  First Solo Sculpture Exhibition, Ming-Men Gallery, Taichung

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2016  Shiau Jon Jen & Zheng Zaidong, Pusu Art Space, Shanghai

  • 2013  Destruction & Reconstruction: Abstract Sculpture in China,  Hubei  Museum of Art, Hubei

  • 2012  The Expansion of Sediment: Contemporary Taiwanese Sculpture  Exhibition, Red Gold Fine Art, Taipei

2011  Annum-Reflection: Welcome to Rabbit Year Exhibition, YUAN+ Art         Space, Shanghai

  • 2010  Substance & Illusion: Exhibition of Shiau Jon Jen & Lu Jun,  Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center, Shanghai

  • 2005  Transferred Landscape: Sculpture and Installation from China,  The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, United    States

  • 2004  Encounter: Yuzile Opening Selection of Chinese Contemporary  Art,  Yuzile Art Space, Beijing

  • 2003  Work "Guilin Totem" Entered the 6th Italy Lido International  Sculpture and Installation Exhibition

2000  Shanghai Wandering: Joint Exhibition of Shiau Jon Jen, Yu


PUBLIC ART

Taiwan

  • 金山鄧麗君墓園「筠園」

  • 金山「金寶山石雕公園」

  • 金寶山集團

  • 頂新集團

China

  • 廣西「桂林愚自樂園」

  • 上海「月湖公園」

  • 內蒙古興泰集團

  • 西塘良壤酒店

USA
  • Bowers Museum