Hsiao Yi

Biography

Hsiao Yi was born in Chiayi, Taiwan, in 1956. He studied traditional sculpture in Pingtung in 1973 and was inspired by Buddhist sculpture. In 1977, he turned from traditional style to free creativity, contemplating the opposition and contradiction of human nature and Buddha nature through real-life experience. He had his first solo exhibition in 1981 at Spring Gallery, then at the Taichung Cultural Centre in 1987. In 1992, he was invited to participate in the Singapore International Festival of Arts. His works include various subject matters, such as human figure, head sculpture, animals, incorporating elements of modern simplicity into Taiwanese folk life. In 1997, he made his first attempt to use stainless steel wire as a creative material, and in 1998, he tried to make iron sculptures. In Hsiao's later years, he resided in the mountains of Taipei and created works, mostly wood carving figures. The style of his work is pure and simple, with varied modelling and a profound sense of Zen.