"Reading" (Ten pieces, Shanghai, 2002) is no doubt a representative masterpiece of the seasoned artist Li Shan It is also an epitome of the 20 years development of the contemporary art in Shanghai. More importantly, it can be regarded as one of the significant artworks in the Chinese Contemporary art. Li Shan was born in Heilongjiang province in 1942, and studied at Shanghai Theater Academy in 1964.He lives and works in shanghai after graduation, during which period Li frequently attended many international exhibitions and was influenced hereby. In 1968, he set his own bio art studio in New York. This experience differentiates him from the other Chinese peer artists. It is certain that Li Shan shares with them the same experience of socialist artistic outlook (art is to serve the people) and creation method (Realism and epic theme). However, since the end of 70's Li had pursued his own, or rather, Chinese artist's won way of creation –emphasizing Abstract style and self-expression to establish the creativity of the personal art. During the period, he created a large number of "bad paintings" (the artworks not following the ideology of the society, which can be interpreted as the form for "avant-garde" or "authority rebellion and re-construction"). Just as Li has put, "my language is myself'. In the history of the world art, this pursuit of "myself" often appears in the abstract works, for which focus on the perception of lines and blocks instead of concrete form or subject. Through the abstract form can artists "liberate" themselves from the given existing image and conscious impression. Li Shan's "liberation" not only corresponds to this thread of thought, but more importantly can be understood as the "liberation" from the authoritative image and aesthetic concept of socialism to achieve "freedom". Then it would be easy to comprehend the artist outlook repeated by the artist-"I am pursuing freedom for all my life". Despite almost 30 years later when Li created "Reading" (Ten pieces) in 2002, the aesthetic art of Li Shan's style is still obvious while more mature and reserved.

"Reading" (2002) is consist of some basic color blocks (black, yellow and blue) and geometric shapes (triangles, oval and curve).The center is the unique imaginative from collaged by the figures, creatures and insects. There is no direct and detailed Realistic application in form, but instead there are wing-shaped color blocks which are endowed with the meaning of wings by a plenty of sky appeals the feeling to fly, allowing the viewers' focus enhance the flow property, which creates the pleasure of appreciation and "liberates" the viewers from the inherent appreciation experience to reach the state of "freedom".

If we review Li Shan's works over the 20 years (since 1980s), we will be surprised to find that Li Shan, as one of the pioneer and promoter of shanghai avant-garde art, has exerted the same influence as the famous avant-garde painting school "stars Group" of Beijing. Comparative speaking, Li Shan's style generally reflects the main appeal of the Chinese contemporary art, but he is different for his own personal style. Therefore, "Reading", besides the inheritance of the artist's personality of creation, indicates the characteristics of the Shanghai wave as well as the contemporary artistic index of the 20 years art development in Shanghai.

The long-term living in Shanghai added the "homesickness" to the artist. In Reading", the black patterns in both upper and lower sides originated from the playing card of Li Shan's childhood hometown. The work was painted piece by piece when creating. It has been put together for the first time recently (2009).That is to say, during the creation; the artist emphasized a kind of time-space experience mixing with the present and memory.

Li Shan express his Reading Series by "Genetic Reengineering", which reflecting in the form is the collage of human, creature and insect; in deep meaning is the origin seeking of self-consciousness and self-recognition. Li skillfully applies "Reading" to show his condition and way of living. The black patterns usually appear in the tomb mural painting, symbolizing the artist's attempt to seal the childhood memory at that present of creation. Based on the above analysis, I personally regard this work "Reading" as the best representative of Li Shan.


From《Hosane 2009 spring auction》