Selected Works of Li Shanchan

Author: Li Kuchan Painted
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Li Kuchan, originally named Li Ying, styled Lige, was a distinguished contemporary Chinese painter of freehand flower-and-bird painting, calligrapher, and people's art educator. He was born on January 11, 1899 (the 30th day of the 11th month in the Wuxu year) into a poor peasant family in Liqizhuang, Gaotang County, Shandong Province. During his youth, influenced by folk artists, he embarked on a tough artistic journey. In 1919, he moved to Beijing and initially enrolled in the "Work-Study Program" (also known as the French Language Specialization College) affiliated with Peking University, studying part-time while working. Simultaneously, he joined the "Evening Painting Research Society" affiliated with Peking University to learn sketching and Western painting from Mr. Xu Beihong. In 1920, he entered the Chinese Language Department of Peking University, and in 1922, transferred to the Western Painting Department of the "Beijing National Art College." During this period, he often relied on pulling rickshaws at night to sustain himself. For this reason, his classmate Lin Yilu gifted him the name "Kuchan" (Ku means hardship, and Chan refers to the ancient term for freehand painting as Chan School painting). In 1923, he became a disciple of Qi Baishi. At that time, Qi's reputation was still modest, and due to the prevailing trend of imitating ancient styles in Beijing, Qi stood out with bold innovations, which drew much criticism. In 1925, he graduated from the "Beijing National Art College" and became a professor at Beijing Normal School, concurrently serving as a professor at Baoding No. 2 Normal School. In 1930, he was invited to teach Chinese painting at the Hangzhou Art College. In the early years of the War of Resistance Against Japan, when Beijing fell under Japanese occupation, Mr. Li was deeply and resigned from all his "official" positions, retiring to Qianmen Lao Ya Temple and Xicheng Liushui Well No. 2. Due to his close ties with patriotic figures, he was arrested in 1939, subjected to severe torture, but remained unyielding. After the war of resistance, in 1946, he became a professor at the "Beijing National Art College." After Beijing was liberated in 1949, he was appointed as an associate professor. In 1950, Mr. Li wrote to Chairman Mao Zedong, requesting an assignment. Chairman Mao immediately wrote to President Xu Beihong and sent a secretary to visit him, after which Mr. Li was appointed as a researcher at the "Institute of National Fine Arts" affiliated with the "Central Academy of Fine Arts." Later, he was transferred to teach freehand painting at the Chinese Painting Department of the same institute. During the Cultural Revolution, Mr. Li suffered greatly, being falsely accused of being a "counter-revolutionary academic authority," imprisoned in a "cowshed," enduring various tortures, and later sent to rural labor. In 1972, Premier Zhou Enlai sent someone to invite the elderly painter to create works, and Mr. Li was invited to participate. Over three years, he produced over 300 paintings for the nation. After the Cultural Revolution, Mr. Li was restored to his reputation and painted works such as "Red Plum in Anger" and "Snowy Day," among others. Later, he served as a member of the executive committee of the "Institute of Chinese Painting," a council member of the Chinese Artists Association, and a member of the fifth and sixth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. In 1981, he devoted himself to the production of documentaries such as "Chinese Flower-and-Bird Painting," "Li Kuchan Paints Eagles," and "Li Kuchan's Freehand Painting," generously sharing his lifelong artistic experience on screen for future generations. During this period, he created masterpieces such as the monumental "Ink Bamboo" and "Midsummer." In the spring of 1982, he visited the Guangdong Special Economic Zone in Guangdong Province, feeling deeply excited and hopeful about the revival of China, setting an ambitious goal to create 100 works. In the spring of 1983, relevant departments held a celebration honoring Mr. Li Kuchan's 60 years of dedication to education. On June 8, he was invited to write a large couplet for the Confucius Temple in Nagasaki, Japan: "The Sage knows no bounds, his virtue nourishes the world; with great virtue as a model, he influences all." On the early morning of June 11, 1983, Mr. Li passed away.