Liberty Times Net: Changing the Tide with the Bull! Taiwanese-American Artist Lin Shibao's 'Bull King' Makes New York Debut, Paying Tribute to Healthcare Workers
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(in CN)
Changing the Tide with the Bull! Taiwanese-American Artist Lin Shibao's 'Bull King' Makes Its New York Debut, Paying Tribute to Taiwanese Healthcare Workers. (Provided by Lin Shibao)
[Reporter Liu Liren/Taipei - New York Report] With the severe COVID-19 situation in the United States, Taiwanese artist Lin Shibao, residing in New York, used 3,000 recycled MTA subway cards to create the "Bull King." Today, at the invitation of the New York City government and the Farmer's Market, he made his first appearance at a unity and anti-pandemic event. New York City Council members, Director Huang Zhengjie of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, Chen Qiugui, founder of Coho Windows and Doors, local Korean community leaders, and a diverse group of attendees gathered to hope for a turnaround, the return of vitality, and a return to normal life as soon as possible, while also paying tribute to healthcare workers in Taiwan.
Lin Shibao explained that the bull is considered an auspicious symbol with traits such as loyalty, robustness, courage in the face of adversity, and the willingness to work hard and contribute. These qualities inspired his artwork. Having lived in New York for many years, Lin Shibao views the MTA subway system as the lifeline of New York's transportation, carrying the dreams and hopes of countless people every day. He created the "Bull King" with a prayerful heart, hoping for a swift return to the days when MTA stations were filled with the sights of family, friendship, love, people of different nationalities, cultures, skin colors, and ethnicities embarking on their journeys repeatedly. To symbolize unity, he designed the NYC MTA card-wearing bull, one of the twelve zodiac animals, in contemporary attire, hoping that people from different countries, cultures, skin colors, and ethnicities, regardless of where they come from, can unite and face the pandemic together.
Through contemporary action art that involves collective creation and interaction with the public, Lin Shibao presents unusual tranquility and serenity created by the power of thousands of people, offering a different perspective and a different kind of beauty, while demonstrating concern for the social environment and humanity. During last year's Chinese New Year, he conceived the idea of using 30,000 subway cards to create the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, each with its own personality, stories, and common characteristics and serving as auspicious symbols during Chinese festivals. This year, when creating the Bull King amid the severe pandemic, it took two months and 3,000 subway cards to complete the 7-foot-tall and 5-foot-wide artwork.
Lin Shibao mentioned that, compared to the severe COVID-19 situation in the United States, Taiwan has been very successful in its pandemic prevention efforts. Therefore, he incorporated elements representing Taiwan into the Bull King's model - the Lily flower and the 101 Building - to pay the highest tribute to healthcare workers. The crown symbolizes the lofty status of pandemic heroes, the red cross on the bull's shoulders represents the significant responsibilities and pressures carried by Taiwan's healthcare heroes, and the three bulls represent the national team working diligently to defend the people. The Bull King bears a badge of victory on his left shoulder, symbolizing the fight for the Taiwanese people and spreading love to the world, in the hope that all countries can overcome the threat of the pandemic. Lin Shibao pointed out that the United States is currently in a state of total war, and the harm it has caused extends beyond economic and health damage to a breakdown of trust among individuals. Our society needs unity and courage to continue moving forward in the battle against the pandemic.
Lin Shibao, at the age of 26, received the highest honor in the Japanese art world, the "Japanese-French Art Exhibition" first prize, making him the youngest recipient of this award. He has received over 20 international art awards to date, and the United Nations has recognized him as a contemporary "outstanding artist." His creative inspiration often comes from collecting discarded items that have been abandoned by people. He believes that these items, which come from various sources and have been used before, carry unique meanings. His creative energy is boundless. In 1994, he collected 500,000 coins to create "Guarding Peace." In 1997, he collected one million U.S. nickel coins to create "March for Peace." In 2004, he collected 1,000 pairs of old jeans to create "Dress for Dinner," telling the story of immigrants working hard in the New York metropolitan area. In 2005, he collected 300,000 used pens to create "Gate of Wisdom," becoming the only representation of Taiwan's image at the Aichi World Expo in Japan. In 2006, he collected 200,000 used pacifiers to create a Christmas tree called "Tree of Love," conveying the message of gratitude and care for parents, hoping that young people will be more attentive to their parents. In 2014, he recycled over 10,000 discarded hemp gloves used by workers to create "Pink Commendation Vehicle," conveying the spirit of hardworking laborers. In 2015, he collected over 26,000 discarded mobile phones to create "F1 Commendation Vehicle," hoping to remind the public not to be addicted to technology and neglect natural interactions with others.
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Coming together in a unity event regardless of race, hoping for a turnaround, the revival of prosperity, a swift return to normal life, and paying tribute to healthcare workers in Taiwan.
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First-time appearance at the Unity Against Pandemic Event, attended by New York City Council members, Director Huang Zhengjie of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, Chen Qiugui, founder of Coho Windows and Doors, local Korean community leaders, and a diverse group united regardless of race.
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Lin Shibao created the "Bull King" using 3,000 recycled MTA subway cards.
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Lin Shibao explains the concept behind his creation.
Lin Shibao explained that the bull is considered an auspicious symbol with traits such as loyalty, robustness, courage in the face of adversity, and the willingness to work hard and contribute. These qualities inspired his artwork. Having lived in New York for many years, Lin Shibao views the MTA subway system as the lifeline of New York's transportation, carrying the dreams and hopes of countless people every day. He created the "Bull King" with a prayerful heart, hoping for a swift return to the days when MTA stations were filled with the sights of family, friendship, love, people of different nationalities, cultures, skin colors, and ethnicities embarking on their journeys repeatedly. To symbolize unity, he designed the NYC MTA card-wearing bull, one of the twelve zodiac animals, in contemporary attire, hoping that people from different countries, cultures, skin colors, and ethnicities, regardless of where they come from, can unite and face the pandemic together.
Through contemporary action art that involves collective creation and interaction with the public, Lin Shibao presents unusual tranquility and serenity created by the power of thousands of people, offering a different perspective and a different kind of beauty, while demonstrating concern for the social environment and humanity. During last year's Chinese New Year, he conceived the idea of using 30,000 subway cards to create the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, each with its own personality, stories, and common characteristics and serving as auspicious symbols during Chinese festivals. This year, when creating the Bull King amid the severe pandemic, it took two months and 3,000 subway cards to complete the 7-foot-tall and 5-foot-wide artwork.
Lin Shibao mentioned that, compared to the severe COVID-19 situation in the United States, Taiwan has been very successful in its pandemic prevention efforts. Therefore, he incorporated elements representing Taiwan into the Bull King's model - the Lily flower and the 101 Building - to pay the highest tribute to healthcare workers. The crown symbolizes the lofty status of pandemic heroes, the red cross on the bull's shoulders represents the significant responsibilities and pressures carried by Taiwan's healthcare heroes, and the three bulls represent the national team working diligently to defend the people. The Bull King bears a badge of victory on his left shoulder, symbolizing the fight for the Taiwanese people and spreading love to the world, in the hope that all countries can overcome the threat of the pandemic. Lin Shibao pointed out that the United States is currently in a state of total war, and the harm it has caused extends beyond economic and health damage to a breakdown of trust among individuals. Our society needs unity and courage to continue moving forward in the battle against the pandemic.
Lin Shibao, at the age of 26, received the highest honor in the Japanese art world, the "Japanese-French Art Exhibition" first prize, making him the youngest recipient of this award. He has received over 20 international art awards to date, and the United Nations has recognized him as a contemporary "outstanding artist." His creative inspiration often comes from collecting discarded items that have been abandoned by people. He believes that these items, which come from various sources and have been used before, carry unique meanings. His creative energy is boundless. In 1994, he collected 500,000 coins to create "Guarding Peace." In 1997, he collected one million U.S. nickel coins to create "March for Peace." In 2004, he collected 1,000 pairs of old jeans to create "Dress for Dinner," telling the story of immigrants working hard in the New York metropolitan area. In 2005, he collected 300,000 used pens to create "Gate of Wisdom," becoming the only representation of Taiwan's image at the Aichi World Expo in Japan. In 2006, he collected 200,000 used pacifiers to create a Christmas tree called "Tree of Love," conveying the message of gratitude and care for parents, hoping that young people will be more attentive to their parents. In 2014, he recycled over 10,000 discarded hemp gloves used by workers to create "Pink Commendation Vehicle," conveying the spirit of hardworking laborers. In 2015, he collected over 26,000 discarded mobile phones to create "F1 Commendation Vehicle," hoping to remind the public not to be addicted to technology and neglect natural interactions with others.
Coming together in a unity event regardless of race, hoping for a turnaround, the revival of prosperity, a swift return to normal life, and paying tribute to healthcare workers in Taiwan. 
First-time appearance at the Unity Against Pandemic Event, attended by New York City Council members, Director Huang Zhengjie of the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center, Chen Qiugui, founder of Coho Windows and Doors, local Korean community leaders, and a diverse group united regardless of race.
Lin Shibao created the "Bull King" using 3,000 recycled MTA subway cards.
Lin Shibao explains the concept behind his creation.