Yahoo: Artist Lin Shibao Creates 'Bull King' with 3,000 Subway Cards, Symbolizing Social Revival
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(in CN)
(in CN)
As New York City's museums gradually reopen, many artists are eager to unveil their pandemic-inspired creations. On the 26th, Chinese-American artist Lin Shibao held an outdoor art exhibition at Maple Playground in Flushing, featuring large-scale installation art and photo exhibitions in collaboration with photographer Xu Zhenhui. Among them, Lin Shibao's giant "Bull King," created using 3,000 subway cards, aims not only to transform the pandemic into "artistic passion" but also symbolizes "turning the tide," revitalizing society, and conquering the virus.
Lin Shibao, in an effort to document decades of New York subway card culture, conceived the idea of using 30,000 subway cards to create the 12 Chinese zodiac signs during last year's Chinese New Year. He explained that each zodiac sign has its own personality, stories, and common characteristics, serving as auspicious symbols during Chinese festivals. When he created the Bull King this year, he faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The progress of collecting subway cards fell significantly behind, and during the period of home isolation, he temporarily couldn't work in his studio. Fortunately, with the full support of designer Xinya Li and the president of New Inspiration Cares, Alice Lee, among others, he successfully completed the Bull King, a towering sculpture measuring 7 feet high and 5 feet wide, using 3,000 subway cards over a two-month period.
Lin Shibao stated that pandemic resistance is a hot topic today, so the Bull King evolved from its original cartoon prototype into a powerful, massive figure with two legs. "Especially when the ancient Chinese cultural Bull King is adorned in a subway card-made coat, it also showcases the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures." On the day of the exhibition, City Council Member Gu Yaming, Huang Zhengjie, the director of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, and Chen Qiugui, the founder and chairman of Coho Windows and Doors, among others, attended the event to congratulate the Bull King. They expressed that the fearless Bull King, despite challenges, is here to help the world combat the virus.
Lin Shibao, in an effort to document decades of New York subway card culture, conceived the idea of using 30,000 subway cards to create the 12 Chinese zodiac signs during last year's Chinese New Year. He explained that each zodiac sign has its own personality, stories, and common characteristics, serving as auspicious symbols during Chinese festivals. When he created the Bull King this year, he faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The progress of collecting subway cards fell significantly behind, and during the period of home isolation, he temporarily couldn't work in his studio. Fortunately, with the full support of designer Xinya Li and the president of New Inspiration Cares, Alice Lee, among others, he successfully completed the Bull King, a towering sculpture measuring 7 feet high and 5 feet wide, using 3,000 subway cards over a two-month period.
Lin Shibao stated that pandemic resistance is a hot topic today, so the Bull King evolved from its original cartoon prototype into a powerful, massive figure with two legs. "Especially when the ancient Chinese cultural Bull King is adorned in a subway card-made coat, it also showcases the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures." On the day of the exhibition, City Council Member Gu Yaming, Huang Zhengjie, the director of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, and Chen Qiugui, the founder and chairman of Coho Windows and Doors, among others, attended the event to congratulate the Bull King. They expressed that the fearless Bull King, despite challenges, is here to help the world combat the virus.