The power of flowers

• Source: Global Times
• [10:35 June 02 2010]
• Comments

Li Lei at his latest exhibition Canvas And Bronze. Photo: Courtesy of EDB Art Center

By Huang Xi

Flowers have famously been used by female artists to express femininity, but Shanghai native Li Lei, an artist and the executive director of the Shanghai Art Museum, is currently displaying his "flower" works to share his own musings on abstract art at the Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center (EDB Art Center).

This exhibition, Canvas And Bronze, showcases over 20 abstract oils, including the Shanghai Flower and Wishes series painted this year, as well as some of Li's sculptures, which have never before been shown to the public.

The recent paintings use large and bright color clumps to express the artist's emotions. Red and yellow, together with blue and green, are the major colors in Shanghai Flower, which gives off a positive and hopeful feeling.

"The flower is in full blossom, so bright and splendid, but it is also in transition," said Li. "It is the most dangerous time for it, but it can't sense the potential risks."

Small paintings, two to three in a group, hang among the bigger "flowers." They belong to the Wishes series.

The light spring colors suggest vigorous hopes, featuring bamboo shoots eager to get out of the earth and young leaves sprouting after the rain.

Back in 2006 and 2007, Li's works were grounded, gloomy and gray.

Li calls himself a "research-based artist" and told the Global Times that his research before 2007 was about the abstract expression of nature and humanity that "should be shown through dark colors."

But his recent research is focusing on emotional changes in big cities which are, "quite strong and somehow out of control."

Li said that the prosperity of art and society in Shanghai has inspired him to make these works.

"That's why I use such shinning colors, which show the prosperity of art and society and people's emotional tensions," Li explained.

As well as the oils, Li also has on display bronze sculptures, created several years ago.

"I did not even think of displaying them until Elisabeth asked me to," Li recalled.

Elisabeth de Brabant, the curator and owner of the gallery where the works are shown, thinks a great deal of Li's sculptures.

"They look like things you see every day, girls kneeling down or two people embracing, and I can feel the energy behind them," Brabant commented.

Li said that his sculptures are "painters' sculptures" rather than sculptures created by a professional.

"My sculptures have smoother lines, and they are more like paintings. And these works helped me solve my problems in understanding three-dimensional space," Li said.

Li concentrated on ink paintings before 1990s, creating experimental inks, but his style turned to abstract oil painting in the late 90s.

He believes that images in abstract oil are more basic and can, "express the feelings deep in my heart directly, easily and clearly."

Li's paintings are modeled on ancient Chinese poems as he thinks that poems are the essence of Chinese culture and art, which, "can be borrowed to enrich the expression and dialogue in painting."

He named one series of his works Prelude to Water Melody after a particular type of poem in the Song Dynasty (420-479) during Northern and Southern Dynasties.

Many of Li's admirers believe his work is lyrical.

"The dots and color lumps look like the musical notes, which go to make up a symphony," commented visitor Pan Li.

Li is a music enthusiastic and he listens to music while painting.

"Music helps create a tranquil environment and gives me inspiration," Li said. "I prefer music in the late Classic and Romantic periods."

As the executive director of the Shanghai Art Museum, Li is constantly busy selecting exhibitions and running the museum.

When asked what will be new about the Shanghai Biennale this September, Li smiled and said: "Just come and see."

Li Lei's works have been exhibited over the past 20 years, in many cities including Beijing, Shanghai, New York, Frankfurt and Brussels.

Date: Until August 15, 10 am to 6:30 pm (Tuesday to Friday); 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm (weekend)

Venue: EDB Art Center 博雅珊艺术中心

Address: 299 Fuxing Road West 复兴西路299号

Admission: Free

Call 6466-7428 for details