Preface of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
As an art educator and art creation practitioner, the sculptor Xiao Li’s art is a special phenomenon in the development of Chinese contemporary sculpture, no matter if analyzing the inner spirit research of Chinese traditional culture or the social background and culture atmosphere of art works. As the Director of the National Art Museum of China Wu Weishan said: “Few pieces of scattered wood are desolately left on the ground with great solemnity; this image is beautiful and bright when approaching from the south, while august if appearing in the north; delicately attractive, with a grand circumstance that forms a majestic atmosphere; What’s precious is that Xiao Li’s carving is seemingly favored by god, holding the wood in his hands, and then inspiration emerges instantaneously, after shortly shaping, then it appears meaningfully. It is sometimes desolate, sometimes prosperous, sometimes standing as if lonely and sometimes walking alone. It seems to walk haltingly from long ago; or from a distant mountain riding the wind, each figure seems to be vividly calling out names. Oh wind, oh rain, the art world has such a magical hand. The wood is far from noisy and quietly leads into the distance. Wangjing, Wangjing! Those who stand up can stand, and those who stand up should stand up!"
Exhibition View of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
The Opening Ceremony of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
The Group Photo of Honored Guests at the Opening Ceremony of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
With the development and progress of human civilization, as well as the continuous recognition of nature and society by people, sculpture art and human thoughts are closely intertwined. The artist uses a unique artistic technique to reflect what he observes and thinks, and his expressive technique also allows future generations to intuitively see the predecessors’ understanding and thinking of life today. Xiao Li engages himself in this, taking the origin of art promotion as his aspiration, unremittingly sculpting, thus finally describing and talking with the world in his works.
Xiao Li's works which use wood carving and stone carving, highlight his exquisite artistic attainment, and integrate the inner spirit of Chinese traditional culture with his creation, which has triggered people to think about how to integrate the spirit of oriental culture and modern Chinese sculpture art.
Exhibition View of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
In recent decades, China's diverse art forms have constantly been changing and innovating. While innovating in the selection of carving techniques and materials, Xiao Li also pays more attention to express his ego and inner spirit, making his works more profoundly reflect the humanistic and social value of sculpture. He presides over the woodcarving studio at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, with his active artistic creation of new methods and new ideas; he has practiced his artistic ideals as a teacher.
Exhibition View of “Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition”
As an invitational academic exhibition series of the National Art Museum of China, "Carve Wood Far Sound—Xiao Li Sculpture Works Exhibition" consists of two parts: the handwritten text of “the World in Esoteric Books” and the sculpture works. It presents more than 20 representative works of Xiao Li since the 1980s. From his works, the audience can feel the rich life carvings.
Curating Group of NAMOC Invitational Academic Exhibition Series
Mar 23rd, 2021
About the artist
Xiao Li b.1963, in Beijing
1985-1990: studied at Central Academy of Fine Arts, ever taught by Qian Shaowu, Situ Zhaoguang and Sun Jiabo.
Selected Exhibitions:
2005: French Paris International Art City Art Exhibition;
Completion of the sculpture placed at the entry of Aubazine City, France
2001: French Autumn Salon Show, Paris
2000: Chinese Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition, Guangdong Fine Arts Museum
1999: “La Biennale d’Issy” French Biennial Art Exhibition, Paris
1998: As a member of “Group of Ten Young Chinese Sculptors”, visited Taiwan and made short-time creating there
1997: Greeting Hong Kong’s Return Art Exhibition;
The Great Exhibition of Chinese Art, National Fine Arts Museum
1994: Inviting Show for Contemporary Young Sculptors, Hangzhou
1980: The 2nd National Exhibition for Young Artists, National Fine Arts Museum
Creating Camps:
2003: Invited by Yuzi Paradise International Art Garden, and then stayed there for near 4 years, creating a number of works, including the large-scaled serial wooden sculptures “Immense Dream” and “Into Dream”, stone sculpture “Night of Altering”, bronze sculpture “Source of the Nature” and so on.
1997: Guilin Yuzi Paradise International Sculpture Creating Camp, Guilin
1993: The 1st China Weihai International Sculpture Creating Camp, Weihai
Public Collections:
2005: Sculpture at the entry of Aubazine City of France;
Shanghai Round-Moon Garden, Completion of spot setting of the outdoor multi-colored enamel serial sculptures “Summer Days”
1998: Cooperating with 2 sculptors—Yang Shuqing and Zhang Yutong, completed the giant symbol sculpture for Jin City, Shanxi
1997: Shenzhen South Mountain Sculpture Institute,
Bronze sculpture “Feather Man”
1991 Beijing Huabei Great Hotel, wooden sculpture “No Title”
Private Collections:
Sir Cao Rizhang, Board President of Taiwan Jinbaoshan Business Group;
Sir Wang Zhongjun, Chinese film investor.
2003: Wooden sculpture “Existence” was collected by a British collector
2005: Successful participation of the donating auction held by Jiade Auction Company for southeastern Asia’s tsunami with creation “Soul and Soil”
2005: The creation “Between Sky and Earth,Ⅱ”involved in Autumn Auction of China Guardian Auctions
Awards and Honors:
2005: Creation“Soul and Soil” was successfully chosen into the donating auction held by China Guardian Auctions for southeastern Asia’s tsunami disaster.
1988: 1st grade award of “Excellent Works Exhibition”, Central Academy of Fine Arts
1980: Painting “Farmer and Ox”, 3rd grade award of the 2nd National Youth’s Art Exhibition
About the exhibition
Dates: April 1-11, 2021
Venue: National Art Museum of China
Courtesy of the artist and National Art Museum of China
