Artwork Description

Description: "Beneath the Pine Tree," Bodhidharma sits cross-legged on a rock, with a pine tree growing behind him—its branches evoke the strokes of Chinese calligraphy. The sculpture is matte black throughout, except for the highly polished head in a brass mirror finish, reflecting both the viewer and the surrounding void. The figure lacks facial expression and gaze, embodying stillness and quiet resilience, like an unyielding boulder. Interpretation: This is not a traditional depiction of Bodhidharma, but a contemporary practitioner facing the void—it could be any one of us. The simplified, abstracted form symbolizes inner strength and spiritual introspection. The mirror-finish head, devoid of facial features, reflects the world and guides viewers to reflect on themselves. It explores the boundary between being, emptiness, and self-awareness—a silent yet powerful "modern-day bodhisattva." View more of our Contemporary artworks and Old Masters artworks      

Beneath the Pine Tree

ByGao Feng
Available

L.E. 1/8, Bronze

29 x 15.5 x 8 in | 73 x 40 x 20 cm

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Artist Biography

Gao Feng – Sculptor, born in Liaoning, China, 1972. Gao Feng graduated from the Sculpture Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in 1996 and earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University in 2009. Since 2002, he has been teaching in the Sculpture Department at the College of Fine Arts, Shenyang University. He currently lives and works between Vancouver and Shenyang.

Gao Feng – Sculptor, born in Liaoning, China, 1972.


Gao Feng graduated from the Sculpture Department of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in 1996 and earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University in 2009. Since 2002, he has been teaching in the Sculpture Department at the College of Fine Arts, Shenyang University. He currently lives and works between Vancouver and Shenyang.


Rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy and cultural heritage, Gao Feng’s sculptural language actively engages with contemporary issues and global aesthetics. Guided by the principle of “encountering the ancients, the West, the divine, and the people,” his practice blends classical thought with modern sensibility.


His materials—ranging from bronze and paper to mixed media—are not merely technical choices, but conceptual tools. Through refined craftsmanship and philosophical depth, Gao explores themes such as cultural continuity, spiritual introspection, identity, and the tensions between tradition and innovation.


Gao Feng’s works often reflect a contemplative quality, combining symbolic form with poetic abstraction. His approach invites viewers to reflect on the relationship between material and soul, the ancient and the present, the East and the West.


His major series include Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, A Changed World, Lotus Emerging, Studies on Appropriationism, and Diving in the Sea, Soaring in the Sky. His work has been exhibited in China, Canada, and internationally, and is held in both public and private collections.


Through decades of teaching and artistic exploration, Gao Feng has become an influential figure in bridging traditional Eastern values with contemporary artistic discourse.


View Gao Feng's CV

View more of our Contemporary artworks

and Old Masters artworks

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