Tai Chi Figure, 朱銘 Ju Ming

Why is a Tai Chi figure in front of the law building? First, it’s important to know that tai chi is a Chinese martial art with spiritual and physical dimensions. The principles of tai chi include the coexistence of being and non-being, or yin and yang. This sculpture depicts a practitioner of tai chi in balanced, yet powerful, action. The artist, Chu Ming, is actually a practitioner of tai chi. He took up the practice in the late 1970s to develop physical and mental discipline. The artist completed a series of sculptures exploring this theme and many examples can be found around the world. This work was donated by Chancellor Clark Wescoe and his wife, Barbara, in honor of Mrs. Wescoe’s father who was a judge in Wyandotte County and a KU grad. The Wescoes first encountered the piece in an exhibition in New York and purchased it specifically for the Law School. Chancellor Wescoe explained, “We thought when we saw this, [that] it showed the strength of the law, the power of the law and the balance of the law.” Artists are often inspired by their experiences and interests. And, a work of art can have many dimensions. It can be rooted in the artist’s personal experience and yet have meaning that connects to other times, events, and purposes.