[Explanation] Recently, at the European Center in Chengdu, Sichuan, an art exhibition with the theme of flowers is opening to the public.
It is understood that this is also the solo art exhibition of Li Xiaofeng, an artist who has been in the Netherlands for more than 20 years. This exhibition displays 40 paintings of his flowers, and the completion time spans nearly 30 years.
Li Xiaofeng said that art is an excellent carrier to promote cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, and he hopes to contribute his own meager strength to the promotion of cultural exchanges between the Netherlands and China.
[Concurrent] Li Xiaofeng, a Dutch artist
The exhibition is called "Yidu Garden". In fact, everyone knows that the Netherlands is a kingdom of flowers. Chengdu also has "Jinguancheng" and "Rongcheng" hibiscus flowers. Therefore, it uses flowers as a carrier and flowers as a medium. Made such an exhibition.
I chose the exhibition work that I used to integrate and present some of my works with flowers as the theme in the past few years.
[Explanation] It is reported that the 53-year-old Li Xiaofeng was born and raised in Chengdu and graduated from the Central Academy of Art and Design.
In the early 1990s, he traveled to Europe as a guest artist and settled in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1993.
In 2013, Li Xiaofeng returned to Chengdu again, and founded his own studio, dedicated to using art as a bridge to promote non-governmental exchanges between China and foreign countries.
[Concurrent] Li Xiaofeng, a Dutch artist
I came out from Chengdu and returned after more than 20 years. I think this feeling is actually pretty good.
In fact, the combination of Chinese and Western, I think it is still necessary to have a natural expression to do this, instead of deliberately combining the two cultures, in fact, it can sometimes be reflected in life. come out.
I think art has no borders.
In fact, I also bear the burden of saying, what I have understood, what I have learned, and what I feel. I also hope to come back and let people in my hometown appreciate it. I think this is also very important to share and spread. .
[Explanation] In Li Xiaofeng's view, art is the easiest and most free way of non-governmental communication between China and foreign countries.
In the creation process of decades, from the original paintings with full oriental charm, to the natural integration of oriental elements with western painting techniques, Li Xiaofeng believes that Chinese elements are buried in his exhibited works as hidden "eggs". More and more people will start to understand Chinese culture step by step because of curiosity.
[Concurrent] Li Xiaofeng, a Dutch artist
I remember the first time I held an art exhibition in Amsterdam, it was in a small gallery in an old town. At that time I might be 24 years old and 25 years old, and then he (the audience) felt very curious.
At that time, my works were actually very rich in oriental elements, including the use of very folk, such as some woodblock New Year pictures, but they were interpreted through my own art.
He (the audience) will stimulate their curiosity (heart) by watching the exhibition. I think there will be some Eastern art, including music or literature.
[Explanation] Not only that, but Li Xiaofeng also keeps trying to invite art to "the altar".
In his view, art comes from life and needs to be integrated into life.
Only by allowing art to enter the people and the masses, can we better promote exchanges between China and foreign countries, and even to a certain extent, break the stereotyped understanding of art and national culture by the Chinese and Western people.
Therefore, during the 8 years when he returned to Chengdu, Li Xiaofeng continued to try to cross-border, participating in garden design, cultural and creative design and other fields.
[Concurrent] Li Xiaofeng, a Dutch artist
I think when I was in Europe, I was more of a professional artist, mainly doing exhibitions in galleries, art galleries, and museums.
But I think this era should allow more people to get close to art.
Because many friends will tell me that Xiaofeng I like art, but I don’t understand what to do. I think it’s because we want to invite art from the "shrine" to the people and the public.
So I think the artist is like this. In the end, he (the audience) not only wants to see it in the museum, but in fact, through the form of art, from an international level, it is to promote friendship and understand each other. In a form, it will eliminate some prejudices.
[Explanation] The interview came to an end. Li Xiaofeng once again took hold of the paintbrush and constantly improved the details of the paintings in front of him. He is creating zodiac patterns for the upcoming Year of the Tiger, and hopes to better promote China globally through cultural and creative cross-border methods. Traditional Culture.
Yang Yudian reports from Chengdu, Sichuan
Editor in charge: [Wang Kai]