August/September 2002 Articles

The Wu Tai Shan Collection at the ZOZO Gallery

Carrizozo – A collection of ancient Chinese religious art, never before seen outside China, will be on exhibition at the ZoZo Gallery, 412 Twelfth St., Aug. 24 through Oct. 6. This is an extraordinary exhibit of art from the great Eastern religions.
The Wu Tai Shan Collection, a group of unique Chinese Min Yao (People's Sytle) Sculptures dating from the 10th Century to the 19th Century, was hidden away during the Cultural Revolution of 1968-9, and thus escaped destruction. The artwork and other antique Chinese and Tibetan art objects from the collection are being offered at outstanding prices.. 
    The 11 figurines come from Wu Tai Shan, one of four sacred Buddhist Mountain sites in China. Because of its location on the "Silk Road", it became a major trading center where religious temples of all major eastern beliefs were founded and flourished. Through the centuries Wu Tai Shan developed into a major pilgrimage site for all the great religions of the orient: Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and even Hinduism. By 1900 over 200 temples had been built including the only lamasery in China. 
The devotional art placed in the temples by the pilgrims was of the "min yao" or "people's style". It was created by anonymous local and itinerant artists. The objects were constructed from common materials such as wood, stone, iron, and bronze. It was often gilded and painted to resemble the imperial style which commoners could not legally own. This devotional art is unique because it represents a mixture of Chinese, Indian, and Tibetan styles.
    During the infamous Chinese Cultural Revolution (1968-1969), genocidal purges were carried out against the intelligentsia and religious adherents. This destruction of intellectual and religious culture lasted for several years and resulted in the loss of many spiritual sites including Wu Tai Shan. It has now less than 50 temples, many of which have had to be rebuilt. 
"It was during the chaos of the cultural revolution that the current collection was rescued. It was then carefully packaged and secretly stored in China for 28 years. These sculptures have never before been exhibited," says James Stresen-Reuter, collector and exhibitor.
    Most of the sculptures in the collections were left as devotional offerings in the "Du Ji Si" (phonetic spelling) temple of the Emerald Emperor. They represent all the great spiritual and philosophical traditions of China - Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, as well as aspects of the Hindu faith.
    "This is a rare opportunity for us all involved in the arts in New Mexico," says ZoZo Gallery owner Gary Eklund. "The fact that the amazing history, culture and art from this period finds itself at the ZoZo Gallery is little remote Carrizozo, New Mexico, is a great story for us all!"

School tours may be arranged by calling Eklund at 505-648-0005.

"It's an outstanding opportunity for collectors," Eklund noted, "because the price range is $1000 to $10,000, making it affordable."

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