The Artistic Treasures of Aesthetic Campus at Siaogang Senior High School
Return to the Origin 90 x 100 x 60 cm | Stainless Steel
Original Work by Ying-Feng Yang
The phoenix is a mythical and divine bird, said to be born at the dawn of time. It soars beyond the four seas and bathes its feathers in the mystical waters of Weak River. It embodies the purity of the maternal spirit, illuminating the source of life. With unwavering faith, it rises from fire, radiating the light of life. The appearance of the phoenix is believed to bring peace to the world—a belief passed down through generations.
Though the form of this sculpture is simple, it contains within it infinite transformations. The purity of stainless steel symbolizes enlightenment; the innocence of the young phoenix reflects upon the vast heavens and earth. Light and shadow from all directions dance across its form in a swirling interplay. Born from the primal simplicity of the cosmos, it reaches maturity. It transforms worldly desires—greed, anger, ignorance—into harmony, prosperity, and serenity.
This piece, Return to the Origin, is a celebrated creation by the internationally acclaimed artist Professor Ying-Feng Yang. Taking the phoenix as its symbol, the sculpture spirals upward with a graceful form. Its head held high, it surveys the heavens and the earth—just as the students of Siaogang strive to soar ever upward, pursuing greatness with unyielding determination.
Sailing Across a Thousand Miles
In his featured piece Wind II, the artist explores the powerful yet invisible forces found in nature. He has developed a unique angular line technique to express variations of light and shadow. By emphasizing the contrast between rough, primitive surfaces and smooth, radiant finishes of the stone, he begins to reveal the inner vitality that pulses within.
The sail-like form symbolizes Mr. Hsu’s homage to the elements of sunlight, air, and water. Through the interplay of form and concept, he captures the graceful equilibrium created by the wind as it fills the sail—bringing together nature and spirit in a harmonious balance.
Aspiration of the Wild Geese
This artwork was created by sculptor Mr. Hsu Li-Hsien, who employed minimal form and the principles of mirror reflection to produce a striking visual effect with the least volume.
Mr. Hsu has received numerous awards in Taiwan throughout his career. He has served as an international judge for stone carving at the WorldSkills Competition, as a national juror in the sculpture category of the National Art Exhibition, and as a member of the Collection Committee of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts. In 2010, he was invited to participate in the 20th Century Metal Sculpture Retrospective Exhibition, which toured venues including the Atlantic Art Museum in Spain, the González Art Center, and the Calais Museum of Fine Arts in France.
—Written by retired Chinese literature teacher Mr. Cheng Hsien-Hua,
October 5, 2001
Gang Bell Pavilion: A Symbol of Education and Virtue
The Gang Bell is modeled after one of China’s ancient musical instruments—bells that traditionally symbolized education. Hung high to signify the enduring transmission of knowledge and respect for ritual propriety, its resonant tones are believed to cultivate inner character and bring calmness to the heart.
A vintage-style ceremonial bell at Siaogang Senior High School—evocative and contemplative solemn and elegant in tone—its sound awakens the soul and enlightens the mind.
As one enters the front gate of Siaogang Senior High School, a spacious, high-ceilinged entrance hall opens into view, where towering round columns lend an air of grandeur. Yet, what most captivates visitors is the large bronze bell suspended above—an uncommon feature on most school campuses.
The name "Gang Bell" plays on the homonym of the school’s abbreviation “Gang Zhong” (港中), making the installation both meaningful and symbolic. Weighing 540 kilograms, the bell is designed after the Great Achievement Bell found in Confucian temples. It stands 1.36 meters tall with a diameter of 0.85 meters and is topped with a dragon-head knob. Cast in seal script on the bell are the school’s motto: Diligence, Integrity, Wisdom, and Creativity.
This solid and stately bell, refined in form, is one of the nine iconic landmarks of the school. It is held dear by the Siaogang school community as a symbol of cultural pride.
During important ceremonies, the principal personally strikes the bell twelve times, expressing reverence for teachers and the lasting value of moral education. The bell is rung at the start and end of each semester, as well as on school anniversaries and graduation day—to remind students to pursue their studies with consistency, discipline, and purpose. The bell’s sound is intended to awaken and inspire, to foster virtue, and to guide students in their moral and academic growth.
An especially notable feature is the thoughtfully designed entrance space. To allow for dynamic uses, the area is gracefully segmented using natural landscaping—flower beds and tiered steps are arranged with elegance and care, infusing the space with energy and life. A glass screen, made up of sturdy square panels, symbolizes upright character and moral integrity, encouraging students and teachers to cultivate a strong sense of personal values.
The blue-green color of the glass screen reflects the vision of a life plan: each square represents a stage of life that students are called to fill with meaning and achievement. Suspended above the screen, the Gang Bell deepens this metaphor—its clear, melodious chimes carry the earnest teachings of mentors, instilling them deeply in students’ minds as a heartfelt and enduring legacy.
This calligraphy piece was handwritten by Mr. Wu Ping, former Director of the Department of Painting and Calligraphy at the National Palace Museum. Born in 1920 in Yuyao, Zhejiang, Mr. Wu, styled Kan-bai, based his calligraphic foundation on the styles of the Jin and Tang dynasties, while also studying those of the Han and Wei periods, and even tracing back to the Zhou and Qin dynasties. As a result, his brushwork is both elegant and powerful, forming a unique and personal style.
In 1992, the year of Ren-Shen, Siaogang Senior High School was officially established. Principal Tseng Kuo-kuang specially invited Mr. Wu to inscribe the school’s name. The following year, the principal again commissioned Mr. Wu to write the present piece as a treasured work. On the occasion of the school’s 10th anniversary, Mr. Hsu Li-Hsien was invited to carve the calligraphy, and the installation was completed by Shih-Chi Construction Company. It is now mounted in the entrance hall, with the hope that it may serve to inspire students in their pursuit of knowledge and diligence in learning.
Calligraphy Content:
A letter written by Gu Tinglin (Gu Yanwu) to a friend:
“In one’s pursuit of learning, if there is no daily progress, there will inevitably be daily regression.
To study alone without companions leads to narrow understanding and limited achievement.
To remain long in one place results in unconscious assimilation to its customs.
If, by misfortune, one lives in a remote and impoverished town without access to transportation or resources, one must all the more study broadly and inquire deeply.
The ancients often debated with others in search of truth—thus one might grasp five or six parts of the whole.
But if one neither leaves the house nor reads, one becomes like a man facing a wall—Even the virtue of men like Ziguo or Yuan Xian would have no influence on the world.
Confucius said: ‘In a village of ten households, there will certainly be one who is as trustworthy and faithful as I am—but not necessarily one who loves learning as I do.’
If even a sage like Confucius needed to dedicate himself to learning, how can people today afford to neglect it?”
The Eagle Soaring Across the Boundless Sky
This artwork is rich in grandeur and symbolism, symbolizing lofty aspirations, unstoppable momentum, and a fearless drive to move forward.
