Mention abstract art, and what usually comes to mind is some
obscure work.
The world of Chinese artist Li Geng, however, is rife with
imagination and power, which he attains by using an art form that
goes back thousands of years ink.
Li's on-going solo exhibition provides visitors a rare
opportunity to see the dance of ink on paper in his abstract
works.
Sponsored by the Li Keran Art Foundation, the exhibition will
run till Tuesday (closed on Monday) at the Museum of the Central
Academy of Fine Arts in Wangfujing's Shuaifuyuan Hutong.
On display are 70 of Li's ink paintings divided into three
categories, namely, "The Study of Ink," "The Series of Mahler's
Symphony" and "Materials and Expression."
These works show his enduring love for traditional art and
provide a glimpse into his continuous explorations of the language
of ink over the past decades.
"Asia today is making great efforts to enter the age of
modernization. It is important, in this process, to think
abstractly and to appreciate abstraction A wonderful world will
unfold before our eyes, when we open our hearts to feel and
understand abstract art," said Li, who not only enjoys thinking
abstractly but also uses it to paint a universe of black and
white.
"Modern society continues to need ink, but with a different
understanding of it," Li said.
His brush strokes traverse the past and future, as also touch on
other forms of art. The ink flows of Li's strokes reveal his
profound research into Japanese painting, Western fresco and early
Renaissance art.
There are also several exhibits that show his interest in the
paintings of the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming
(1368-1644 ) dynasties.
Born into a family of art in 1950, Li developed his enthusiasm
for traditional Chinese literature, sketching and horse riding in
his teens. He practised strict discipline in painting ink-and-water
under his father, Li Keran, the master of Chinese fine arts.
He was introduced to Japanese art and literature circles by the
writer Yasushi Inoue in the 1980s, and was gradually acknowledged
by the local media, critics and college students. He is now
professor at the Kyoto University of Art and Design.
Wang Luxiang, professor of Tsinghua University, once
commented:
"Li is a scholastic artist. He carries in his blood his father's
interest in the mysterious cosmos and a lofty spirit. His ink
paintings take his father's early achievements in ink and the
techniques of abstract art in later years to greater elegance."
(China Daily December 23, 2006)