Expressing Rhino King Kong
Zhao Siqiang


The rhinoceros is the prototype of ancient oriental beast, Kylin (Chinese unicorn), and its image is frequently found in valuable Chinese cultural relics, as Ritual vessel (zen or gui) shaped rhinoceros — bronze, and one of noble Seven Liangshen Bronzes—in Shang Dynasty, Rhino shaped Ritual vessel—displayed abstract patterns inlaid with gold and silver—in the late Spring and Autumn Period, and etc,. Even it is said in the legend, that if any Duke obtains rhinoceros, the world will be on his hand, that Jiang Zi-ya has a ride on it, that it has solid skin for making armors, and that Duke Fu-Cha of Kingdom Wu owns a troop with one hundred and three thousand soldiers equipped with armors and helmets made by rhinos.


Shih Li-Jen is using rhinos, considered a Holy Beast and symbol of auspicious by mythology for a long time, as the subject for creation. Following his works of Rhino Dad- Toward to Victory, and Rhino Mom & Boy released, he creates Rhino Boy – King Kong, a nine meters wide and five meters tall work, dressed a sci-fi style with armor and rivets, and based on the approach of modernist futurism. It is a major breakthrough, applying on silver specular stainless steel, which is more emphasis on its fashionable defined, as on material, rather than demoded one. The rhino horn is using titanium alloy, and the style of it is based on contemporary skills, makes it in complete harmony with its appearance, thick but neat and truly natural. It is the supreme realm of Chinese traditional aesthetic ideal to pursue the art at not only simple but also miraculous performance which Shih is good at using this approach on his sculpture of rhinos. Due to he commits himself to representing works of masterpiece by Auguste Rodin or some other western sculpture masters over a long period of time, he is having intimate knowledge of western approaches, and mixes them with oriental charm, maturely taking on the King Kong rhino full of power and grandeur.


Representing the rhino in solid style as subject, Shih blends figurative art into imagination of science fiction, and implicitly presents unique spirits and inner beauty of an oriental artist. For outdoor, the landscape sculptures coordinate completely with the environment wherein and combine with the interaction of social public, as a great presentation of monumentality. Rhinos are meaningful symbol of wealth and well-being and mystical animals. The rhino family represents warm and happiness of family union, with couple and generation. It is the best expression of self sentiment of Shih.


Lu Xun called it the tremendously profound strength of Chinese sculptures and the series of rhino totally transfer the concept both on spirits and the form. Shih has been creating more than ten types of rhinos and each one brings viewers new experiences surprisedly and profound their feeling.