Offering

Composed in 2006, though "Offering" is often associated with acts of religious charity, Li Chen supposes offering should be broadly interpreted to include child raising by parents. The work is presented in three layers, as if one resided in the protection of the other. Nevertheless, parents will eventually age, their bodies and minds become frail as if they were children again; then, the children's caretaking of parents should also be regarded as a form of offering. Buddha exists in all beings, and Buddhist wisdom can only be realized through the purity of child-like innocence. In the center, the golden cocoon-shaped figure is as vulnerable as it is valuable; because of its weakness, we devote our attention to its upbringing, and through caring we bring ourselves closer to the presence of Buddha. Children then, are Buddhas descended from heaven to earth, and through our offering, we and our surroundings may find Buddhist wisdom and true happiness. Furthermore, since Dalai Lama has been spotted wearing sunglasses, Li Chen playfully designed the figure with a similar image.