“Gautama Buddha” N.Tuan’s new interpretation on an ancient being of supreme spirituality is “Gautama Buddha” in the form of a graceful, young with exquisite features, meditating upon the ills of the world and offering compassion, peace and understanding to all, regardless of their faith, gender, ethnicity or cultural background. Merely gazing upon this mesmerizing sculpture begins to sooth one’s mind and initiate a soothing inner peace unlike any other. “Gautama Buddha” is truly an incredible example of the power of N.Tuan’s work.

32" w x 43" h x 50" d

Aries The exquisite detail of “Aries” {“Rescued”} is unlike any previous interpretation. N.Tuan’s inspiration comes from the ancient mythology fashioned to describe the constellation that ushers in Spring – “Aries the Ram” . N.Tuan imparts Aries’ adventurous and passionate energy by focusing on the legendary Helle who was rescued by Aries the Ram, unique because of its golden fleece. This beautifully sculpted woman also conveys the assertiveness so typical of those born under the sign of Aries. The sculpture rests on the Planet Mars encircled by the element of Fire, thus tying it to its astrological roots.

Taurus The ancient Greek tale of Zeus disguising himself as a while bull in order to gain the favor of the goddess Europa provided N.Tuan with inspiration for this sculptural interpretation of the story of the “white Bull”. The Greeks imagined the constellation Taurus to be the manifestation of the bull in the late spring sky. With an eye for detail and his unique imaginative slant, N.Tuan has chosen to feature the sensual and reflective Europa resting on the back of the “White Bull”. The sphere upon which the bull and his muse rest is representative of the Planet Venus and, in an astrological nod to Taurus, is encircled by the element Earth.

Gemini For this unique sculptural offering, featuring two young children and their mother, N.Tuan drew his inspiration from the story of the twins with different fathers - one being mortal and the other immortal. The ancient Greeks believed that these twins both live on in the night sky as the constellation of Gemini. In the intricately detailed “Twins”, N.Tuan features two playful babies and their mother in a profoundly peaceful and loving pose, reflecting the goals and attributes of those born under this sign. The clouds at the foot of the mother are indicative of the element Air and the sphere represents the Planet Mercury, both of which are associated with Gemini.

Cancer N.Tuan has added elements of drama to this fine art interpretation of Cancer {“Distraction”} by placing a beautiful young maiden on the back of the crab that has been immortalized in the night sky as the constellation Cancer. The sphere, which here represents the Moon, is surrounded by waves, adding a dramatic counterpoint to this elegant sculpture while simultaneously tying it to the astrological sign of Cancer the Crab.

Leo Inspired by the Greek myth that centers around the Neman Lion who was slain by Hercules and was subsequently immortalized by the ancients as the constellation of Leo the Lion. N.Tuan has chosen to depict the self-assured Neman Lion as the throne for his beautiful and stately queen and has imbued this exquisite sculpture with a truly “Regal” elegance. The artist has chosen to position this masterpiece upon the Sun which is the ultimate representation of the element Fire.

Virgo Inspired by the story of Astraea the Star Maiden who, upon fearing that humans had forsaken justice, rose to the heavens as the constellation Virgo. In keeping with her duality, N.Tuan depicts her as innocent but sensual, delicate yet guileful. Here, she is seated on a sphere that represents the Planet Mercury, surrounded by the element Earth.

Libra Inspired by the concept that justice is blind, Libra {“Balance”} elegantly presents the traditional scales as being the hand of justice herself, impartially weighing the pros and cons of decisions large and small. Beneath her feet, encircling the Planet Venus, is sculpted a ribbon of clouds representing the element Air, the traditional element of Libra.

Scorpio This sculptural representation of Scorpio {“Sting”} is yet another wonderful example of N.Tuan’s fertile imagination and sculptural prowess. Within N.Tuan’s mind’s eye, a contemplative and brooding young woman feeling the sting of uncertainty has been added to accompany the gigantic scorpion of the ancient’s to punctuate his dramatic presentation of Scorpio and to emphasize that the painfulness of a sting can be emotional as well as physical.

Sagittarius True to the interpretive nature of an extraordinary artist, N.Tuan has chosen a young woman of exceptional grace to represent Sagittarius the “Archer” caught just moments after releasing her arrow, in a pose of poise, confidence and independence – common qualities of those born under this astrological sign. N.Tuan has seated her on a sphere, the Planet Jupiter, which is surrounded by the element of Fire in keeping with astrological tradition.

Capricorn Tuan found his inspiration for “Nurture” in the ancient stories told of the goat Amalthea who was said to have nurtured Zeus as a child. Subsequently immortalized by the ancients as the constellation Capricorn, Amalthea the Goat was thus rewarded for her noble service. With “Nurture” N.Tuan celebrates both the nurturing of Zeus by Amalthea the Goat and the nurturing of sensuality by a lovely nymph who is basking in the sun’s rays. The Planet Saturn, with its visible rings intertwined with the element earth forms the foundation for this work.

Aquarius N.Tuan received his inspiration for “Quench” from the mythological story of Ganymede, who became the water bearer for Zeus and consequentially was honored by being placed in the heavens as the constellation Aquarius. N.Tuan’s interpretation, which focuses on the desire of the water bearer to provide water for mankind in defiance of Zeus, depicts this mythical water bearer as an idealistic young maiden, eager to quench the thirst of all humanity, pouring an endless supply of water through the clouds. The sphere represents Uranus and the clouds into which the maiden pours her water are representative of the element of Air, both being associated with Aquarius.

“Vietnam War Memorial” Tuan has based his “Vietnam War Memorial “ sculpture on his original heroic monumental at the Vietnam War Memorial in Westminster, California {image below}, which he created to honor both the American and South Vietnamese soldiers who fought so gallantly and heroically in the name of freedom during the Vietnam War. This magnificent and inspiring memorial was designed to convey the appreciation and respect felt by the South Vietnamese, and all who love freedom, for the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who did their very best to try to secure freedom for the people of South Vietnam.

“Celestial” With “Celestial”, N.Tuan has captured a heavenly young woman in an otherworldly pose as if hovering between the celestial heavens and Earth. This ethereal being, with her aura of elegance, balance and grace, seems to be suspended in time as well as space, yet within the subconscious mind of the viewer, movement can be perceived. To feel the mystical peacefulness of this exquisite sculpture, one need only concentrate on the subtleness of her beauty and the majesty of her pose. Soon, all save “Celestial” herself, will seemingly cease to exist and one will begin to see her more as a gift from the heavens than a construct of man. Just as the beauty and intrigue of the celestial heavens is timeless and enduring, so is the allure of N.Tuan’s “Celestial”, for it is destined to be a timeless piece of fine art, not shackled to any century or millennia. From every angle of view, the nuances of this delicate sculpture are reveled until one’s soul is bathed in the energy, passion and heavenly bliss that is “Celestial” by N.Tuan.

Lucide “Gautama Buddha” N.Tuan’s new interpretation on an ancient being of supreme spirituality is “Gautama Buddha” in the form of a graceful, young with exquisite features, meditating upon the ills of the world and offering compassion, peace and understanding to all, regardless of their faith, gender, ethnicity or cultural background. Merely gazing upon this mesmerizing sculpture begins to sooth one’s mind and initiate a soothing inner peace unlike any other. “Gautama Buddha” is truly an in