Lin Shao Fa 林昭發

Lin Shao Fa was born in 1966 in Pu Li Town, a Buddhist town in Nan Tou County of Taiwan. Since he was young Lin has been in touch with Buddhism as a young age. He loves its spirit and teachings, and has always been attracted to the kind and solemn face of the Bodhisattva. As he admired the beauty of Buddhist sculptures and tried to understand the thinking of Buddhism, he developed an interest in carving. He collected local stones and planned out the lines in his mind. He created a series of Bodhisattva images which show the tranquility of their mind, the solemnity of their faces and the gracefulness of their postures.

He has also created a series of children to recall the long lost memories of childhood. The little monks’ series are delightful reminiscences of the childhood, while the child-faced Buddha series are both innocent and sweet.

Lin’s work are admired by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, including those who are not naturally drawn to Buddhism and its sculptures. With a simple heart and dedication for his work, Lin Shao Fa has the gift which enables him to create and share beauty and peacefulness with others.

林昭發1966年生於台灣南投縣埔里鎮,一個純樸而佛教風氣鼎盛的小鎮。林昭發從小接觸佛教,熱愛這份人類傳承下來的精神典範,更嚮往菩薩的慈悲容顏,在思索著如何體會菩薩的慈悲智慧的同時,也開始建立對雕塑作品的濃厚興趣。自然而然地,他利用產自南投埔里的鐵丸石,用心與雙手把內心裡面的線條給具體化,創作出一系列的慈悲菩薩作品。他的菩薩形象,呈現出心靈上的寧靜;莊嚴的法相、飄逸的造型,讓人感受到佛像的慈悲與祥和。

他後來更將這意念投放到一系列以小孩為主題的作品上,籍此喚起觀賞者一些久已淡忘的回憶。他的小沙彌系列作品,感覺就像是一些久違了而又熟悉的童年回憶,給人淡然而又滿足的感覺。他的童顏佛像系列,純真逸趣,教人驚喜。

林昭發的作品,除了得到佛教徒的欣賞外,亦能吸引一些沒有宗教信仰,對佛像也沒有深究的人士驚喜讚歎。能夠創作出如此作品,顯示創作人內心的純樸無華,安然自在,才能將那份寧靜安詳的感覺與眾人分享。