As part of the 125th anniversary series of events of the time-honored cultural brand Duoyunxuan, the "Paying Tribute to the Shanghai School of Painting - Tang Li's Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition" opened to the public at the Duoyun Art Museum in Shanghai on December 5. The exhibition showcases the artistic achievements of the nearly 80-year-old renowned painter Tang Li over the years, mainly featuring freehand flower and bird paintings, paying tribute to the Shanghai School of Painting represented by Wu Changshuo, Ren Bonian and others.
Exhibition site
Regarding the exhibition's theme of "Paying Tribute to the Shanghai School of Painting," Tang Li explained his creative philosophy in the exhibition's preface: "My painting skills began with self-study under Ren Bonian. My freehand paintings are deeply influenced by Wu Changshuo's saying that 'the key to my success lies in applying the methods of calligraphy to painting.'"
Tang Li was born in 1947 into an artistic family in Wuhan, Hubei Province. His father, Tang Wenxuan, was a renowned contemporary master of Chinese flower-and-bird painting. Tang Li was immersed in art from a young age, beginning his painting studies at the age of six. He graduated from the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts and is currently a national first-class artist, a researcher at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, and a tutor at several universities, including Peking University and the Communication University of China. His artistic career spans more than half a century, and he has held more than ten solo exhibitions both domestically and internationally.
Tang Li's artistic journey has not been smooth sailing. He has experienced many changes in Chinese society, studied opera, herded sheep, and worked as a construction worker. However, these experiences have enriched his life experience and artistic insights.
"The Vine is Strong and the Melon is Sweet" (2013)
Chu Yu Xiang Yan (2018)
As one of the representatives of contemporary freehand flower-and-bird painting, Tang Liyou is known for his works featuring peonies, bamboo, red plum blossoms, orchids, eagles, egrets, cranes, and chickens. The works exhibited this time include "Chu Rain and Xiang Mist," "Strong Vines and Sweet Melons," and "Snowy Bananas and Secluded Birds," among which "Chu Rain and Xiang Mist" is over 3 meters tall. Cultural scholar Wang Luxiang commented on his works: "With unrestrained and free-flowing brushstrokes, deep and rich ink, vigorous spirit, simple yet meaningful imagery, a grand and expansive composition, and skillful control of expression."
Tang Li emphasizes "integrating calligraphy into painting," stressing that "the level of a painter's calligraphy determines the level of their Chinese painting art." He believes the essence of Chinese painting lies in brush and ink, and the key to brush and ink lies in calligraphic cultivation. The exhibition will run until December 9th and is free to the public.
