Liuli Our Monkey King Crystal Sculpture

Inspired by the Year of the Monkey and the greatest of all monkeys, the Monkey King Sun Wukong, the glass artwork depicted here portrays a legendary hero. "Journey to the West," one of the most widely celebrated works in Chinese literature, follows Sun's story across thousands of miles. As a sort of demi-god, he could transform himself into any of 72 manifestations with just a pinch of fur. In this piece, he sits atop a bunch of bananas, his one-to-one proportions representing his ability to obtain whatever he desires. Staying true to the story, Liuli's Chinese glass art sculpts a monkey king who is as strong as he is witty, clever, and mischievous, representing a strength and intelligence to which anyone can aspire.