King Kong Rhino Series | 金鋼犀牛系列作品
犀牛是東方古神獸麒麟的化身，中國重要文物中常出現犀牛的圖像，如:商代著名的「梁山七器」之一青銅的「小臣艅犀尊」、春秋晚期的「錯金銀雲紋犀尊」等等。更有傳說中諸侯得犀牛、得天下的說法，姜子牙的座騎即是犀牛，犀牛皮堅硬更可作為盔甲，吳王夫差復國大軍便是十萬三千穿犀牛甲胄的士兵。
施力仁便以這個長期以來被神話描述為「仁獸」象徵嘉瑞之兆的犀牛當作創作主題，繼犀牛老爸”奔向勝利”、犀牛母子之後推出了犀牛小子”金鋼犀牛”，本件作品寬8米8，高約5米，披著盔甲和鉚釘的科幻造型，以現代主義未來派的手法表達，此次更突破過去使用的媒材，運用不鏽鋼銀色鏡面更強調其時尚的線條感。犀牛角則採用鈦合金材質，並運用當代手法，整體造型渾然一體，於渾厚俐落中流露出一派天真，這種於平淡中見神奇的藝術手法，一直是中國傳統審美觀所追求的最高境界。而施力仁之犀牛雕塑正是自然地運用這種手法。藝術家常期代理歐美雕塑大師羅丹等人的創作，對西方精神嫻熟於心而又融入了東方神態，成熟地展現了金鋼犀牛的雄壯威武。
以犀牛健壯的造型為主題，運用具象手法融入科幻的想像，內斂的表現出東方藝術家獨到的精神氣質和內在意涵，在戶外景觀雕塑上結合了公共社會互動，和空間環境協調一致又相得益彰，像是一種紀念碑式的宏大呈現。而犀牛在多種意涵中象徵著富足安康，又兼具神秘力量。犀牛家族是呈現出家庭溫馨的天倫之樂，有夫妻或父子，正是施力仁對於自身情感的最佳抒發。
魯迅將漢文化中的雕塑形容為具有「深沉雄大」的力量，而犀牛系列作品則在內容和形式上皆完滿的表現了這個精神。施力仁至今已創作超過十幾種樣式的犀牛，每一隻的推出都讓人有新的驚奇並能深邃的觸動觀眾的感受。
The rhinoceros has long been regarded as the embodiment of the mythical creature, the qilin, in ancient Eastern culture. Its significance is evident in various Chinese cultural artifacts, including the "Xiao Chen Yu Rhinoceros Zun" bronze vessel from the Shang Dynasty and the "Cuo Jin Yin Yun Wen Xi Zun" from the late Spring and Autumn periods. Legends have it that possessing a rhinoceros was a symbol of gaining power and control over the land, and even the famous Chinese general Jiang Ziya rode a rhinoceros as his mount. The rhinoceros' tough hide was utilized to create armor, and the soldiers who defeated the Wu Kingdom were said to have worn rhinoceros armor.
Renowned artist Shih Li-Jen has chosen the rhinoceros, an animal historically associated with auspiciousness and good fortune in Chinese culture, as his inspiration. He has previously produced works such as "Rhino Dad, Runs to Victory" and "Rhino Mom and Child," and his latest masterpiece are "The Rhino Boy, King Kong Rhino," a futuristic rendition of the animal. The sculpture is approximately 5 meters tall and 8.8 meters wide, boasting a sleek and modern design featuring armor and rivets. The use of stainless steel with a silver mirror finish highlights the sculpture's contemporary lines, while the rhinoceros horn is composed of titanium alloy using contemporary techniques. The result is a harmonious and childlike quality, which is the highest level of beauty in traditional Chinese aesthetics, a concept that Shih Li-Jen skillfully incorporates into his work.
As an artist who frequently references Western sculpture masters such as Rodin, Shih Li-Jen is well-versed in Western aesthetics and has successfully merged it with Eastern spirituality. His "King Kong Rhino" exudes strength and majesty, combining the robustness of the rhinoceros with imaginative elements of science fiction. The sculpture serves as a grand monument and is suitable for public spaces where all can admire it. The rhinoceros symbolizes prosperity, well-being, and mysterious power, and the familial relationships depicted in the rhinoceros family add emotional depth to the work.
Lu Xun once described Chinese sculpture as having a "profound and masculine" power, and Shih Li-jen's rhinoceros series of sculptures fully embodies this spirit in both content and form. Shih Li-Jen has created over a dozen different styles of rhinoceros sculptures, each one bringing new surprises and deep emotional resonance to the audience.