Shaoyan Li 

Shaoyan Li was born in 1980 in Shandong Province, China. He graduated in 2002 from Qufu Academy of Fine Arts of Shandong Normal University, since this time his work has been exhibited in a number of solo and group exhibitions and art fairs in Shandong and other parts of mainland China. Li is currently living and working in Shandong, and teaching at the Oil Painting Department at Qufu Academy of Fine Arts of Shandong Normal University.

Shaoyan Li’s works are a triumph of colour and life, but at the same time, they are mysterious and intriguing in both colour and content. They can be interpreted as a representation of the artist’s personal experience, embracing characters and events that interlock, one to each other, and shape the journey.

Li’s work can be seen as impressionistic interpretation and extension of the Chinese technique Gong Bi which traditionally included birds, insects, fish and flowers. The artists exaggerated form of the technique can be seen as a diary of sorts, which is ‘confessing’ his thoughts to the viewer, a record of his moment-by-moment feelings and ideas.

Chinese painting composition in a circle was traditionally used in artwork for the decoration of clothing or other objects. In Chinese painting, space is very important in the composition, the foundation is seen as just as important as the objects in the piece. This is why the paper or material that is used is so important.