麻豆APP

The museum is Ju Ming鈥檚 largest artwork to date. Author Juming museum pr.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Juming Museum

Juming Museum is considered one of the largest outdoor art museums in Taiwan. The museum is located in Jinshan District, the city of New Taipei, on Taiwan鈥檚 North East Coast.

Juming Museum is named after Ju Ming who is a legendary Taiwanese artist. He designed the pyramid-shaped art museum which is situated in an area of over 11 hectares.

It was officially opened in 1999 and houses Ju ming鈥檚 works such as paintings and sculptures. Furthermore, it exhibits works from other artists whose art was inspired by Ju Ming either directly or indirectly. The museum is located about 24 kilometres from Taipei and takes the utmost 2 hours to travel from the city.

The following are 10 amazing facts about the Ju Ming museum.

1. Ju Ming Purchased the Property and Personally Designed the Sculpture Park 

Ju Ming purchased the property and personally designed the sculpture park and its landscapes. He donated over 2000 pieces of his works to the museum for public viewing.

Construction works took 12 years resulting in a pyramid-shaped building at the heart of the park. A vast outdoor area divided into three zones namely the Living World Square, Taichi Plaza and the Sport square defines the landscape of the park.

Each zone houses several sculptures that create a scenic experience for all tourists. It is located on the top of a hill which overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a distance.

2. The Artworks are Inspired by Teachings of Tai Chi

The main building of Gallery II in Juming Museum, Taiwan. Author Bernard Gagnon.

Artworks in these series are inspired by teachings of Tai Chi which mainly encompass balance and movement. The museum houses about 30 pieces of sculptures in this series in Taichi plaza.

They are easily recognizable due to their huge blocky shapes that stand out. They are designed to showcase the martial art culture taught in Tai chi.

It takes great talent to strike a balance between the heavy bronze shapes and the light graceful sense of implied movement the sculptures portray. Iconic collections in the museum include a single figure stretching and two figures facing one another.

The single whip figure is placed at the heart of the museum showcasing the importance of Tai Chi teachings in the life of Ju Ming. Their gigantic sizes make visitors feel the magnificent strength of TaiChi.

3. The Museum has Sculptures for Living World Series

After the completion of Taichi’s works, Ju Ming created sculptures for the living world series. The sculptures display various human lives based on Ju Ming鈥檚 observation of the world.

The collections include parachutes, armed forces, scientists and a mother memorial. They are mostly made of bronze and are mainly exhibited in the pyramid-shaped hall.

Interestingly, he sculpted figures doing warm-ups or basking capturing summer moments using stainless steel. Ju Ming鈥檚 ballet sculptures are covered in ballet attire showcasing different postures dancers use opening the audience to choreographic interpretations.

He also used woodwork to showcase aspects of human life. Different techniques were used to cement his beliefs that the world is filled with highly diversified life.

4. Nativist Series of Ju Ming Museum

Juming Museum. Author lienyuan lee.

This is a dedication to rural life and the culture of the residents. It shows the deep affection Ju Ming holds for his countrymen.

In the 1970鈥檚 he created pieces such as water buffaloes, symbols of Taiwan鈥檚 agriculture and the spirits of Taiwan鈥檚 traditional farming families. The figures were wood carved and tell a story of how life transforms.

For instance, his sculptures transformed from wood to rock and metal as traditional farming methods were replaced with modern agrarian technology. His first exhibition placed him as a prominent figure in the Nativist movement.

5. The Main Mission of the Museum is to Promote Sculptured Art Culture through Education

The main mission of Juming Museum is to promote sculptured art culture by establishing roots in children鈥檚 art education. Targeted beneficiaries are mostly local students allowing them to integrate local humanities and ecological aspects into their creations.

The museum selects and sponsors one resident artist annually to plan exhibitions of different values. Furthermore, it organizes symposiums, courses and conferences aimed at imparting a sense of art cultivation.

In 2007 a forum for children’s art educators was established which created the Children Art Experimental Exhibition Area. These efforts will build a culture of art preservation and development.

6. The Zip Series of Juming Museum

Sculptures of a ship and sailors in Juming Museum, Taiwan. Author Bernard Gagnon.

The series was created by Ju Jun, the eldest son of Ju Ming. An outstanding 鈥渮ipper tent鈥� is a zip sculpted between two walls similar to a tent visible in the park. Ju Jun makes all his sculptures from stone for the easier distinction of his works.

The 鈥淶ipper Lotus Pond鈥� is a huge stone zip with a new moon shape opening zip. The zip stones around the pond are carved to make an impression that the zip is vividly soft for opening or closing.

Zip and stone often spark curiosity among visitors to the museum. It encompasses the concept of blankness and fullness neither increase nor decrease. The figure is a huge stone with a zip stone carving enclosing along the centre edge.

7. The Original Display Area was Re-engineered as a Stone Conservation Lab

Efforts have been underway to preserve outdoor stone sculptures for posterity, particularly the Taichi series. The original display area was reengineered as a Stone Conservation Lab.

Protective canopies have since been installed and a wooden walkway to the area as well as initiation of a 3D scanning project and online resource for the sculptures. The canopies have protected the sculptures against biological deterioration whereas the walkaway has ensured that a safe distance is maintained between the visitors and the artworks.

The 3D panoramic guide in Juming Museum enables the visitors to access information and interact with the sculptures through zooming of models provided without necessarily coming into contact with them.

8. Juming Museum has made Limitless- Graffiti Social Club a Reality

Sculpture of Ju Ming in Juming Museum, Taiwan. Author Bernard Gagnon.

In 2021 the museum provided a hallway and reached out to 9 graffiti artists and encouraged them to showcase their work. Graffiti is considered a defiant street art by many and is usually done quickly at night.

These artists now have the chance to let audiences learn more about the culture. In the museum, they are painting open and fans can see how the art is developed.

The once empty hallway is now filled with great works from the nine artists over the past year and more efforts are underway to add to the collection. This initiative will be helpful in the promotion of graffiti culture across museums globally.

9. Several Restaurants and Gift Shops are Available near the Museum

The Museum Tea House is located next to TaiChi square and provides a good resting place for visitors. Popular refreshments offered in an artistic atmosphere include fragrant coffee, refreshing smoothies and delicious snacks.

The little greenery scenes surrounding it are ideal for photoshoots. Big Mouth Children鈥檚 Restaurant also provides another eating option for visitors.

This shows smart planning especially since the museum is large and it’s more convenient for visitors to rest in the park while still on tour. A gift shop is also situated inside the entrance and visitors are encouraged to browse before leaving.

10. How Art meets Nature in Juming Museum

Juming Museum. Author lienyuan lee.

The outdoor art museum is strategically located on the mountainside. Its design is harmonious with the natural landscape and looks very beautiful. The vast outdoor parks filled with statues strategically placed alongside beautiful green parks and protective canopies create a natural relaxation aura for anyone visiting the park.

The magnificent stories the silent sculptures tell are reinforced by the natural atmosphere and visiting Juming Museum is one of the most memorable trips to many.

A view from outside the art gallery sparks appreciation from art lovers who are amazed at the brilliance in the planning of the park. From a wasteland to one of the largest outdoor art museums in Taiwan, the Juming museum is a rich source of artistic heritage.

Priding itself with more than 2000 pieces of artwork, the museum is a great destination for all persons regardless of age. Showcased art describes life from a different point of view by different artists. The museum offers a place to relax, learn, grow and have a great life experience. I would urge all to visit Taiwan and explore this magnificent place.