Li Xiufeng's freehand figure paintings - Masterpieces by Famous Artists

Author: Jia Dejiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: She, wrapped in the cold wind of snow and ice from the Qilian Mountains, nourished by the blessings of bright sky and moon, walks from the ancient and magical land of the Northwest. She, Li Xiufeng, a native of Cangzhou, is the Executive Vice President of the Gansu Fine Arts Association and one of the most influential middle-aged female painters in the contemporary Chinese painting world. Interacting with her easily reveals her pure, honest, sincere, and modest character, with an exterior gentleness and an interior strength, unassuming yet distinctive. Her painting style unites boldness with solemnity, freedom with elegance, spontaneity with simplicity, and passion with delicacy. Her themes come from the folk culture of the Tibetan people, the legacy of the Han and Tang dynasties, and the mountains and rivers of the western region. Xiufeng's paintings are like the ancient moon in the desert—solemn and noble; like the flute music of the passes—melancholic yet lingering. Admiring Xiufeng's paintings is to see truth, goodness, and beauty everywhere, a symbol of her spiritual—paintings of western landscapes forged from her personal charm and sincere emotions. Xiufeng was born in Jiaohe, Hebei, and this land of martial spirit and chivalry gave her childhood endless joy and imagination. Her parents' "supporting the northwest" initiative and her own military career connected this northern girl to the loess plateau. She grew up amidst the vast and desolate frontier poetry of "the sands stretch endlessly to meet the sky" and "a lone city gazes at the Jade Gate Pass," a source of Chinese culture that never runs dry. The great mountains and rivers, deserts, ancient moons, Buddhist cave murals, colorful pottery, and the distant sound of camel bells nurtured her youthful spirit and artistic sensibility, allowing her to enjoy the joy of traveling through endless sands and sleeping under the ancient moon. From a humble student to a border soldier, and then from a soldier to a professional painter, her only hope has been to cultivate more simplicity and kindness in her character, retaining sincerity and strength in her gentle demeanor. Over 50 years of emotional connection to the west have helped her understand the standards and principles of her life as a painter and art administrator, and have led her to find her spiritual home and philosophical. I once misunderstood women's paintings, having grown accustomed to works that were merely decorative. I thought bold and free styles were beyond their reach, but this traditional prejudice was completely washed away by Li Xiufeng's works. Her brushwork exudes the spirit of women who are not to be outdone by men. She has great courage, her ink and brush flow freely—a rare talent indeed. In her use of ink and color, she is equally at ease, with precision like the autumn call of a cicada and boldness like a waterfall plunging down. Whether it's bold ink wash or the interplay of color and ink, she uses them to great effect: bold yet disciplined, unrestrained yet tender, profound yet ethereal, rustic yet delicate, grand yet refined. Her paintings reveal the unique sensitivity and skill of a female artist. Her works move people because her character and inner world are truly reflected in her brushwork—her paintings truly mirror her person, and her person mirrors her paintings. The Buddha says, "The mind can create hell, and it can also create the Buddha." Xiufeng's artistic realm is one that transcends worldly desires, ignoring praise and criticism, embracing the universe with an empty and pure heart. Ganzi is a Tibetan inhabited area, known as the "Little Tibet." The Lalu Monastery, one of the three major Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, is located by the Xiahe River. Here, murals, sculptures, literature, and folk customs are deeply influenced by religious culture and Buddhist aesthetics, with Buddhist art aiming to inspire purity and goodness in people's hearts. Thus, Li Xiufeng has deeply rooted her artistic spirit here, her heart, passion, and inspiration finding harmony with everything around her. Countless Tibetan elders, warm-hearted women, honest men, shy girls, strong children, as well as monks and lamas, yaks, and sheep—all emerge from Xiufeng's brush, walking boldly from the west to the rest of the country. Despite the current trend of "Tibet fever" in the art world, with many following suit, the Tibetan people in Li Xiufeng's paintings are unique. She abstracts the complex Tibetan robes and decorations into bold brushwork, revealing character in her free expression. Especially her depictions of girls and children move me deeply. Their dark, luminous faces are adorned with two emerald-like eyes, full of emotion, life, purity, and charm. When my eyes, clouded by worldly dust, meet theirs, I feel immense shame. The world should indeed be as pure as jade and as clear as water—this is the Buddha's teaching and the wisdom of the Buddha. The lifelike "alms bowl" in Xiufeng's paintings reflects the realm of those who have been enlightened by Buddhist wisdom—the clarity of the heart's pearl. Li Xiufeng's paintings, with their cultivation, character, integrity, and artistic interest, are not just within the frame but beyond it. May you take the time to appreciate the essence of her works, where the troubles of desire will be washed away, and you will experience the Zen meaning of "true tranquility leads to liberation," realizing the profound spiritual power of religion and the vast and deep character of the artist, who remains humble and open.