Li Mei-shu, the “Great Wall” of Taiwanese Art Movement

Born in 1902 in Sanhsia, Taiwan, Li Mei-shu (李梅樹) developed interest in drawing since early childhood. He left for Japan in 1928 to pursue his dream of becoming a painter. In March 1929 he was admitted to Tokyo School of Fine Arts where he concentrated on the study of such different schools as Classicism, Romanticism and Realism. 

Shortly after his graduation from the art school in 1934, Li returned to his hometown, Sanhsia, to which he had a profound commitment. As a painter, Li used his paintbrushes to fulfill this commitment, manifesting his love of the people and nature on many a canvas. In the meantime, he was also active in promoting fine arts in Taiwan. In November 1934, Li and seven other fellow painters founded Taiyang Fine Arts Association, the first ever such artist group in Taiwan. An annual art contest and exhibition has been held by the Association ever since.

Li was appointed to a professorship of fine arts at Chinese Culture University in 1962 and at National Taiwan Academy of Arts in 1964. In 1967, he founded the Department of Sculpture at National Taiwan Academy of Arts. In 1975, he began to teach art at National Taiwan Normal University.

From 1947 through 1982, Li chaired the Reconstruction Committee of Sanhsia Tsushih Temple, taking charge of renovating the dilapidated temple. With Li’s painstaking design and prudent planning, the temple is filled with magnificent craftwork, making it a symbol of traditional Taiwanese art and culture.

Sanhsia Tsushih Temple under construction, ca. 1953 Sanhsia Tsushih Temple, 1997

 

Gifted and versatile artist as he was, Li received his first lesson in realism at Tokyo School of Fine Arts in Japan. And realism remained the principle he lived by as an artist for the rest of his life even though there were times when Fauvism or abstract expressionism was the mainstream. Somehow realism was the only way which, as Li himself described, "could best serve my faith in depicting the true beauty of rural life in Taiwan." Persistent and determined as he was, Li was thus regarded as the "Great Wall" in the art history of Taiwan.

The painting style of Li can be divided into three periods: the en plein air period from 1924 to 1948, the local period which lasted until his hospitalization in 1977, and the return to nature period which stretched from his recovery from illness until his death in 1983.

Girl out of Bath
Ink painting
22.2 × 15.8 cm, 1914
  Vase of Flowers
Watercolor painting
49.5 x 32.3 cm, 1926

 

Bird
Ink painting
20 x 20 cm, 1919
Salted Salmon
Watercolor painting
32.6 x 49.8 cm, 1928

 

Self-Portrait
Oil painting
91 x 72.5 cm, 1931
Pomegranate
Oil painting
24 x 33 cm, 1937

 

Girl with Flowers
Oil painting
145.5 x 112 cm, 1940
Dusk
Oil painting
194 x 130 cm, 1948

 

Spring Breeze
Oil painting
116.5 x 80 cm, 1953
Suao Fishing Harbor
Oil painting
72.5 x 91 cm, 1964

 

Wax Apples
Oil painting
53 x65 cm, 1966
The Ice Fruit Shop
Oil painting
89.5 x130 cm, 1974

 

Spring Dawn in Sanhsia
Oil painting
45.5 x 53 cm, 1977
On the Ranch
Oil painting
72.5 x 116.5 cm, 1980

 

On April 9, 1995, in commemoration of Li, the great artist-painter and temple architect, a memorial gallery was established by Li's descendants. The Li Mei-shu Memorial Gallery, with its abundant collection of Li's artwork and documents, has become a valuable source for the appreciation of one of the most influential Taiwanese artists since the Second World War.

 

 

To view other artwork of Li Mei-shu, please go to A Slice of Wonder.

Text and images are provided by The Li Mei-shu Memorial Gallery
http://limeishu.org
http://www.limeishu.org.tw