Li Jinkun is a leading figure in Guangdong’s literary and artistic circles and Lingnan painting circles. With deep thinking and a strong sense of responsibility, he practically leads Guangdong’s fine arts to a new milestone in the new era.
Respond to the changes of the times with one’s own creation
Face the contemporary era, learn from the past and learn from the present.
Li Jinkun, who lived and grew up in Lingnan, inherited the important idea of "eclecticism between China and the West, blending the ancient and the modern" put forward by Lingnan School of Painting in his artistic creation. Facing the 21st century, China is gradually moving towards the center of the world stage, and the significance of China culture is attracting more and more attention from the world, and the times call for a new cultural attitude, how to deeply think about China culture? What is the position of China’s fine arts in the world? How can Guangdong fine arts start again under the pattern of Greater Bay Area? And responded to the changes of the times with his own creation.
△ Li Jinkun’s Cangshan is like the sea and the setting sun is like blood. In 2019, 338cm×1082cm paper ink was heavily colored.
Li Jinkun believes that Guangdong fine arts need to put forward their own opinions in this great era, and his answer is "to face the present, establish China and study the west, and learn from the past". The so-called "face to face with the contemporary", explained by Li Jinkun, is to look at the world art with a head-up attitude and the role of China art in the world pattern. You don’t need to look up to others to show your humility, and you shouldn’t look down on the world and think highly of yourself. "Establishing China and Studying the West" is a promotion of the "compromise" of Lingnan School of Painting. It is no longer necessary to find a balance point between China and the West like the predecessors, but to study and learn from Western art directly from the standpoint of China. China art has become an important style in the world art with its own independent system. "Learning from the past" emphasizes the role of China’s art history in the current art development. The long history of art can be used as a scale for the development of art at present. It reveals the milestone that China art has gone through in history, and how to use it as a supporting point to develop the art of the new era.
"Re-compromise" and "Post-Lingnan"
Naturally, Li Jinkun also integrated his thinking on the road of art development into his own creation. He went deep into the roots and sources of ancient painting, studied from his predecessors and carved traditional techniques. Copy ancient painting classics, such as Fan Kuan’s Journey to Xishan Mountain in the Northern Song Dynasty. This process makes Li Jinkun think about the proper meaning of his Chinese painting while groping for the traces of his predecessors.
△ "Song of the Yangtze River" 300×800cm 2021 Jinkun’s creative team in 2021 — — Li Jinkun, Lin Yangjie, Murphy, Tao Huang
"When I was studying in the late 1980s, I found that Lingnan School learned about the West through Japan at that time, but only borrowed from the technology of Japanese painting. With the advent of reform and opening up, the road to development of Lingnan painting school must be more open, and we should explore it in a new pattern. " Therefore, in the early 1990s, Li Jinkun put forward the practice of "re-compromise", which was formally manifested as a series of colorful explorations. "The Lingnan School of Painting took the art of the Song Dynasty from the tradition at that time. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, the whole painting world was filled with retro atmosphere, as well as Ming and Qing painting ‘ Exquisite ’ But the picture is weak. The artists of Lingnan School of Painting believe that the Southern Song painting is large and powerful, which can wash away the delicate style of painting, so they follow its example. In the process of learning traditional techniques, I further set the object of imitation at ‘ Shen Xiong and Bo Da in Northern Song Dynasty ’ Go. The study of western art mainly focuses on the fine arts after the Renaissance and since the 20th century, and focuses on the great people who have trans-generational significance to the West, such as Rembrandt, Delacroix, Cezanne and Van Gogh. Thus, the ‘ Re-compromise ’ Take the law. "
Guided by the belief of innovation and change, Li Jinkun also participated in putting forward the concept of "post-Lingnan". Lingnan painting school had developed for nearly a hundred years at that time, and these young students who grew up in the tradition of Lingnan painting school were not satisfied with just inheriting the styles and techniques of Lingnan painting. They want to stand on the shoulders of giants and see how the world’s fine arts create more possibilities in generate. Li Jinkun said: "At that time, we naively proposed that we should make a broader exploration than Lingnan School. ‘ Houlingnan ’ The concept of "the" came into being. The so-called ‘ Houlingnan ’ It is a cultural proposition, and it also pushes the Lingnan artistic spirit of innovation and change to infinite possibilities. "
After this idea was put forward, it attracted a lot of attention and doubts from the industry. However, after nearly 30 or 40 years of development and evolution, this sudden cultural phenomenon left a notch in history. "Post-Lingnan" has become an important artistic phenomenon in the development of modern and contemporary Chinese painting in Guangdong, and it is an important topic in the cultural research project of the 30 years of reform and opening up sponsored by Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, which has been repeatedly discussed and planned for exhibitions. Li Jinkun said with a smile, "These young boys who were full of cultural ideals in those days have now become the backbone of Guangdong’s innovative creation of Chinese paintings. The exploration of that year was effective. I believe that as these people gradually explore achievements in their respective fields, ‘ Houlingnan ’ The concept will become an interesting historical phenomenon in the development of Guangdong Lingnan Painting School. "
Present and future works
Li Jinkun wants to re-paint some of his previous works into 10-20-meter paintings, highlighting a magnificent atmosphere. He tried to make those things that were not very distinctive in Guangdong paintings become distinctive. "This style of exploration has given me an unprecedented and brand-new visual experience. It will be very interesting to do such artistic exploration in Guangdong. Although it won’t be a great thing, I have reason to believe that it is still a very unique style. I think that in the history of the development of art, there will never be a place for imitators. "
Li Jinkun’s works seem to have Japanese "ukiyo-e" painting style, but in fact they contain the spirit of painting in the Song Dynasty. By comparing them with China’s classical paintings, we can identify the most authentic essence of China’s paintings. Any part carried out can be confirmed by the characteristics of brushwork and technology of traditional Song painting. This is also a way for Li Jinkun to return to tradition.
△ In a small painting with a size of only 18 by 25 cm, Li Jinkun drew more than 200 characters.
In a manuscript painting of "Cangshan is like the sea and the setting sun is like blood", which is 18 cm by 25 cm, Li Jinkun actually painted more than 200 characters. In the process of challenging himself, he also felt quite interesting. On a small canvas, we need to consider many factors, such as space layout, brush stroke control and so on. Each person’s head may not even be the size of a sesame seed, but the dynamics and expressions of the characters are vivid: in depicting the war scenes, some people show their consternation when they are dying; Someone opened his mouth and shouted and screamed; Some people’s dumping has led to a chain reaction of more people’s postures … … In a small picture, such fine details can be presented, which is inseparable from the artist’s creative spirit of "wrestling with yourself".
Balance and development under multiple identities
For some time, Li Jinkun has combined many roles: president of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, president of Guangdong Painting Academy, curator of Lingnan Painting School Memorial Hall, chairman of Guangdong Artists Association, chairman of Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and vice chairman of China Artists Association … … For ordinary people, multiple identities will bring a lot of troubles, but Li Jinkun thinks that it also brings multiple spaces to try, so that he can find out how the industry can get through comprehensively and experience unprecedented professional development ideas.
△ One of the European sketches in 2015, the paper is heavily colored 93x62cm.
Guangdong Artists Association is a group organization that organizes artists in the province to create; Guangdong Painting Academy is a highland for creative research in Guangdong Province. Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, with more than 800 high-level teachers, is a gathering place for talent training; Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, with a variety of artistic cultures, plays a role as a link for cross-industry artistic exchanges; Lingnan painting school memorial hall is a highland for regional cultural research; Guangdong Art Museum is an internationally influential exhibition hall … … Li Jinkun’s professional skills meet with the development of fine arts. "Talent training, fine arts creation, systematic organization, exhibition and publicity are integrated, which has brought unprecedented convenience to my career in the past few years, and also created the integrity of this fine arts system that can not be ignored in Guangdong fine arts circles throughout the country. The professional resources and cooperation of Guangdong fine arts have enabled this province to make a steady transition to a big cultural province and a strong fine arts province. Only by mutual cooperation, mutual support and joint efforts with various academic institutions in Guangdong can the art work be done well. This is my most important experience and experience in recent years. It has condensed and displayed all my ideals and ambitions in the past few decades and completed a number of art projects with everyone. "
A landmark event in the performance of duties
In 2017, Li Jinkun participated in the "New Life — — Guangdong Fine Arts Centennial Exhibition "is the first large-scale exhibition held in Guangdong Province to systematically review and summarize the history of Guangdong fine arts in the past 100 years. In 2018, on the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up, China Artists Association commissioned Guangdong to hold an exhibition to turn political events in China people’s minds into art and record history with images. Guangdong Artists Association hosted the "Pearl River from the Spring Tide — — The National Exhibition of Fine Arts Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-up has attracted national attention. In 2019, during the 13th National Art Exhibition, Guangdong Artists Association undertook the task of hosting three exhibition areas in one province, which showed a good sense of social responsibility. At the same time, Guangdong was also the province with the largest number of people selected for the 13th National Art Exhibition. In 2021, in the centenary of the founding of the Party, the "Guangdong Art Exhibition Celebrating the Centenary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC)" was held to examine how Guangdong artists stood on the tide of the changing times and recorded the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s great achievements in the past century with their brushes, which also attracted the attention of the whole country. The History of the Party in Fine Arts Classics, sponsored by CCTV, contains 100 works, of which Guangdong accounts for 15. Glorious course — — In the exhibition of major historical sculptures celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC),Thirteen works were selected in Guangdong.
△ In 2015, the second European sketch was highlighted in 93x61cm.
As the president of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Li Jinkun is also very concerned about the affairs on campus. "I don’t even let go of a tree and a pile of grass on campus. From a group of students to a supermarket, there are concerns. In fact, I just want to improve the teaching experience of art education and art education in China, so that students can study in a pleasant atmosphere and teachers can find it interesting to work here. How should I perform my duties when I become the president of the Academy of Fine Arts? How to implement what you usually see and think? I really need to work with my colleagues. Fortunately, in the past few years, the work concepts of the leaders and colleagues around me have been very compatible, and there has been a history that I think is very harmonious and meaningful in the art world. "
In addition, with the support of the provincial party committee and the Foshan municipal government, the "Foshan Campus of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts" promoted by Li Jinkun and funded by the local government is in full swing. This 500-acre modern art education hall with billions of investments is not only a great effort devoted by Li Jinkun to the construction and development of his alma mater, but also his contribution to the cultural construction of Foshan, his hometown, and his ideal place to build a new highland of Guangdong’s art education. He believes that Foshan Campus will be built into a first-class innovative school in Greater Bay Area in terms of school-running concept, hardware and school-running conditions under the development planning of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Self-development and social influence
Li Jinkun, who has many jobs, didn’t do more personal publicity and solo exhibition during this period, and didn’t participate in various commercial activities. He said, "This is my personal choice. I didn’t come to this work platform until I was older. I want to make the best use of this time, take on the responsibilities entrusted to me by the organization, and realize my artistic and social ambitions. Therefore, my approach is to ensure important creation and important research, and temporarily put aside things that are of great help to myself and have little impact on society. For example, holding a personal exhibition is very important for expanding your academic influence, but it has little impact on society. "
△ Six European Sketches in 2015: Silk Edition with Heavy Color 93x62cm
"In fact, the most difficult thing for a person is to make a choice between self and society. It is human nature to choose things that are beneficial to you, and it is natural and easy to implement. It is not normal and customary to give up personal interests. However, looking back, when you do something good for society, ‘ Ego ’ Won’t it also become ‘ Big ego ’ ? And the historical ‘ Big ego ’ , but also full of ‘ Ego ’ Wisdom and dedication. "
Teachers in Li Jinkun also hold the attitude of unifying individuals and society. Both Mr. Li Xiongcai and Mr. Guan Shanyue used the skills and abilities endowed by the society flexibly to draw pictures reflecting the times and grasping the development with artistic pens. Motivated by Si Qi, Li Jinkun also took the example set by his predecessors as a sign of progress. He said frankly: "The motive force for everyone to do things may not be so high. However, because there are sages in front of you, when you use them as a scale to follow suit, you will tell yourself to give up something very reluctantly. I think this kind of self-game is the most interesting. Sometimes, convince yourself to give up ‘ Personal needs are too difficult. Because of yourself ‘ A nod ’ I passed, but it still takes spiritual strength to turn this point of restraint into a linear life. "
Self and social service in art
Being an "artist" means finding a balance between self-individuality and serving the society. Artists have the need to make public and express their individuality, and fulfilling the requirements of society often needs to convey some common ideas. Li Jinkun pointed out the contradictory and unified core: "As an artist, you have to have depth and personality, but as a role serving the society, you can’t have too much personality. This is contradictory, but it needs to be unified. Just because you have artistic personality and talent, you will have the working strength endowed by art, be recognized by people, and have the opportunity to serve the society. In the process of service, one’s own personality has not disappeared, and it can be accepted by people. That is the level that a major should have. After artistic personality and artistic responsibility become working methods, artists can serve the society more professionally in terms of professional work and management ability by realizing the function of service through their own artistic level. "
△ The Nine Impressions of European Sketch in 2015: Heavy Colors in Silk Edition
Philosophical thinking on artistic life
Reality and dream
Li Jinkun likes to use a spare chapter engraved with the words "After a long separation, a famous mountain dreams". This means that although people live in real needs every day, it does not prevent them from returning to famous mountains and rivers ideologically and having a yearning for elegance and nature. "When I am busy and irritable, when I am confined to my work and give up a lot of freedom, I can still use my dreams to return to places I have been to, or places I have never been to and exist in my imagination. I can’t go, my dreams can always come. Once there is such a sustenance, people’s spiritual world will immediately become clear and calm. In reality, there are naturally things that go wrong, so how can it be better than the dream situation? If you have a dream, you can reach the place I think is the best by your dream. " On the contrary, once people’s ambitions are displayed, everything can pin their dreams. Li Jinkun’s carefully decorated studio is surrounded by flowing water. "Many people don’t understand, how can I turn such a big space into a waterscape? I have created such an environment, which shows that I can put my dreams in my dreams and put them around me. " People don’t have dreams, they can only watch many beautiful feelings run away, but people have dreams and are always ready for them, and they can do what they want as soon as there is a gap.
△ Coloring of 310cm×600cm paper of "Millennium Knot" in 2003 (complete picture)
Everything is the best arrangement.
After decades of accumulation, Li Jinkun thinks it is the best arrangement in life to get to this point today. "If it weren’t for so many experiences and twists and turns, one would certainly not have accumulated the ability to solve related problems in a short time. For example, how far an exhibition is placed and what demands it responds to are accumulated through grassroots exercise, which is an experience that cannot be learned in any book. All the experiences of life, all the pains, all everything, are prepared for the best blooming moment. " Li Jinkun said with emotion, "From the perspective of my life, this accumulation time is too long, so I will cherish it and try my best." He wants to shine in his place, just like a flower in spring, desperately releasing accumulated energy.
△2007 "Burning Yuanmingyuan" historical painting (color draft) 45cm×80cm paper coloring
△ In 2007, the historical painting (sketch) of Burning Yuanmingyuan was colored on 45cm×80cm paper.
Treat yourself and others.
Li Jinkun studied the development path of many previous painters and modern painting schools, while studying others, he was also thinking about how to deal with himself. He believes that if a person wants to learn to be self-sufficient, he must understand his role in society, where he can reach, and how to be self-sufficient in the corresponding position. "The place seems to be for yourself, and it will actually affect the surrounding area. Everyone can do his own thing perfectly, because he knows the cold and the hot. It is difficult to do the same to others. How to treat people and things with a self-centered attitude may be the biggest test for me. Pushing yourself and others, I think it is the highest realm of China cultural people’s self-care and life. "
Li Jinkun cited a fable as an illustration. For example, if a plasterer wants to make a doorway, how to grasp the size? First of all, if you can walk in yourself, others can walk in. This is the working spirit and principle of a plasterer. Confucius said, "Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you." On this principle, it means treating others with yourself.
He also cited his other party’s leisure chapter "waking up three provinces" as evidence. "Three provinces, that is, ask yourself: How about yourself? How do you treat others? What did others do to you, and then what did you do? Especially the last question, if others are friendly to you, you will definitely be friendly. But in case someone is unkind to you, how do you respond? What do you do when others hurt you? Then you can see a person’s realm. The most important thing for people is to ask themselves, which is very interesting. "
Creative space as self-world
The space switching between public space and private studio also shows that Li Jinkun is constantly moving between the two roles with ease. Li Jinkun’s role as a "social man" is to rush about in the workplace and serve the art industry and the public. When he returned to his studio, he entered a quiet world of himself. He returned to the "ego" side, cooking and cleaning the house. He not only painted wonderful sketches, but also painted large-scale creations, and even created a series of installations, sculptures and other works of art, and made many exaggerated attempts, being casual and unconstrained. He once again became a jittery artist, a painter who struggled with himself and pursued perfection in front of drawing paper.
△2015 Pearl River Story 120x175cm paper ink heavy color
Over the past few years, Li Jinkun has really worked very hard for Guangdong fine arts. A series of national exhibitions of great significance, the study of individual art cases and the collation of artistic historical materials, the vigorous growth of artistic seedlings, and the birth of academic and award-winning works & HELIP; … There are also the construction of colleges and universities, the implementation of the new campus in Foshan, the acquisition of doctoral degree authorization points, etc., all of which have a profound impact and continuous development, and also constantly establish Guangdong’s cultural self-confidence and enhance the status of Guangdong fine arts in the country.
As for Li Jinkun himself, he seldom participates in social activities, personal publicity and holds a solo exhibition. He said that artistic creation is a lifelong matter, and great painters are chosen by time and history. It doesn’t count if they say it themselves, and it doesn’t count if they find someone to say it. If the people behind really want to talk about me, it will be enough to say, "Li Jinkun really did some meaningful things and painted well.".
△ Li Jinkun-tang style Song Yue-173cmx416cm-made in 2002
This is Li Jinkun. Looking back now, as always, he is honest and wise, keeps his word, is quick to act, persistent and wise.
Alawn Li
Born in Guangzhou in 1958, Nanhai, Guangdong. At present, he is the vice chairman of China Artists Association, chairman of Guangdong Federation of Literary and Art Circles, president of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, honorary chairman of Guangdong Artists Association, former president of Guangdong Painting Academy, curator of Lingnan Painting School Memorial Hall, professor and doctoral tutor; Distinguished professor of Jinan University is a first-class artist.
