Selected Works of Li Kuchan -- China Modern and Contemporary Masters Series

Author: Li Kuchan
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) in Liqizhuang, Gaotang County, Shandong Province, into a poor peasant family. During his youth, influenced by folk artists, he embarked on a tough artistic journey. In 1919, he moved to Beijing and first enrolled in the "Work-Study Program" (also known as the French Language 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, meaning hardships; Chan, anciently referring to freehand painting as Chan School painting). In 1923, he became a disciple of Qi Baishi. At that time, Qi's fame was still modest, and with the prevailing trend of imitating ancient styles in Beijing, only Qi dared to innovate boldly. As a result, he faced 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 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's liberation 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 assigned as a researcher at the "National Art Research Institute" 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 artworks, and Mr. Li was invited to participate. Over three years, he created over 300 paintings for the country. After the Cultural Revolution, Mr. Li's reputation was restored, and he painted works such as "Red Plum in Full Bloom" and "Snowy Day." Later, he served as a council member of the "Chinese Painting Research Institute," a member of the Chinese Artists' Association, and a member of the National Committee of the 5th and 6th sessions 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," "Kuchan Paints Eagles," and "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 immensely excited and deeply hopeful for the revival of China, setting an ambitious goal to create 100 paintings. 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.