Famed Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming (朱銘) was found dead on Saturday evening at the age of 85, in what prosecutors said was an apparent suicide.
Ju’s family contacted authorities at 9:45pm on Saturday when his wife found the sculptor on the rooftop of his apartment in Taipei without any signs of life after he did not return from an evening workout there.
Emergency responders pronounced Ju dead after arriving at the scene.
Photo courtesy of Juming Culture and Education Foundation
A preliminary post-mortem examination suggested that Ju died from asphyxiation, leading prosecutors to conclude that he took his own life, the Shilin District Prosecutors’ Office said.
Ju was reported to have suffered from a number of chronic ailments in the past few years.
Known for his masterful depiction of people and the human anatomy through sharp-edged shapes and sleek choices of modern colors, Ju was a pioneer in the sculpting field, with works displayed or permanently purchased around the world.
Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times
Aside from his achievements as a sculptor, Ju’s most notable contribution to Taiwan’s art scene is the Juming Museum, Taiwan’s largest outdoor collection of outdoor sculptures.
Located in New Taipei City’s Jinshan District (金山), the vast area features the works of other local sculptors, including his masters and teachers, and a large collection of his own personal catalogue, situated in a park featuring ocean and mountain views.
Originally from Tongsiao Township (通霄) in Miaoli County, Ju’s first foray into art was at age 15, when he became a student of temple sculptures and painting.
Photo: Yu Chao-fu, Taipei Times
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