Helen Deng

    AFTER having traveled in remote areas of Tibet 26 times and taken nearly 10,000 photos of the plateau, renowned artist Li Xiaoke has spent the past four years converting the photos to prints.

    “When making the prints, I felt like a Tibetan carving Buddha statues and Buddhist scriptures on stones and printing them on sutra streamers,” said Li, a devotee of Tibetan culture.

    Shenzheners now have a chance to see Tibetan prints by Li who is also well-known for his Chinese paintings and photography. Nearly 100 of Li’s silkscreen prints are being shown at Guan Shanyue Art Museum. Wang Mingming, president of Beijing Fine Art Academy, spoke highly of the prints, saying they were “bold,” “quiet” and “sacred.”

    “The prints are an expression of his deep understanding of and strong emotions for Tibet,” said Wang. “They show a strong spirit of humanity and a sincere love for nature, which is why they are so charming,” he said.

    Wu Hongliang, president of the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy, said Li’s extensive travels to the region enabled him to embrace the land and its people.

    “He has experienced the subtle relationship between humanity and nature. He even kneeled down on the ground like an elderly Tibetan,” Wu said.

    Li first went to Tibet in 1988, at the request of photographer Zheng Yunfeng. Since then his 26 trips to the region have involved sketching, painting, taking photos and experiencing the life and culture. He has traveled to some of the most remote territories in the region, including Ali, Mount Qomolangma, Nagqu, Maqu, and Xiahe, often spending months there.

    “Tibet is a mysterious land of souls. I have tried to get closer to it, however, it still seems far away. The process of pursuing is creation itself,” Li said.

    After taking thousands of photos of Tibet, Li felt that photos could not fully express his feelings about Tibetan culture. So he tried prints. The slightly vague images, scratches, uneven edges and dark colors add a historic touch to his prints. The combination of the 21st-century photo editing techniques and the traditional silkscreen skills has created a more personal, yet equally realistic Tibet.

    Chinese artists have turned to Tibet for inspiration. Major figures in the Chinese art world, including Wu Zuoren and Dong Xiwen, found inspiration in their travels to Tibet.

    Li is the son of renowned contemporary Chinese artist Li Keran (1907-1989).

    The exhibition is sponsored by the Beijing Artists Association, Beijing Fine Art Academy and Li Keran Art Foundation and will last until Feb. 19.    

    Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

    Add: Guan Shanyue Art Museum, 6026 Hongli Road, Futian District

    Metro: Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit B

    Buses: 10, K12, 14, 25, 34, 105, 215, 228, 111, 322, 238, 350, 371

    Tel: 8306-3086