Return: A Sculptural Homage to the Rooster by Han Dong

Bronze Sculpture Merges Prehistoric Symbolism and Modern Aesthetics

The rooster, a symbol of patriarchal society's totalitarianism and a fearless, untouchable leader's temperament, is the central theme of Han Dong's sculpture. The artist's inspiration stemmed from the symbolic meaning of rooster culture prevalent in various countries and nations. However, rather than focusing on realistic details, Han Dong used the visual language of sculpture to express an aloof and arrogant temperament, capturing certain stable elements from accidental changes and giving them an almost abstract appearance.

"Return" is a bronze sculpture, notable for its concise and clear body. The momentum, tension, and outer space occupied by the rooster are expressed through an abstract deformation technique. The details of any corner of the sculpture are regarded as a neuron in Han Dong's life, imbuing the piece with a sense of life. The featherless texture of the rooster, a feathered animal in reality, posed a challenging task for the artist to bring the sculpture to life.

The creation process of "Return" involved several stages. Initially, a skeleton was built using steel and wood, shaped with sculpture clay, and then turned into resin material with atomic ash adjustment. The original was then turned into a silicone mold, a wax plate, and finally into bronze. The sculpture was then welded, polished, and colored to complete the work.

Viewers derive a strong sense of pleasure from looking at the sculpture from various angles, evoking awe for nature and animals. The sculpture, exhibited in a solo exhibition at the Today Art Museum in Beijing in 2017, was created in Han Dong's studio in Beijing between February and May 2017.

Despite the challenges faced during the creation process, including risks and uncertainties, Han Dong's efforts resulted in an abstract work that seeks feelings and strives for signs of life. The sculpture, awarded the Golden A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2019, is a testament to the artist's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with its desirable characteristics.