Artist Li Hongtao’s First-Ever Exhibit at the Louvre Lauded

Source: Nouvelles d’Europe       Author:      Release Date: Jan 27, 2011

The first large-scale solo exhibition of a Chinese artist in Le Louvre, showcasing the works of multi-awarded artist Li Hongtao, demonstrates the extraordinary level of Chinese artists in the entire world, a top Beijing official said at a press conference announcing the event.

The Louvre, located in Paris, is the world’s most famous museum. The solo exhibition at the Carlos Hall of the Louvre was scheduled from January 25 to 27. Li Hongtao is a Chinese contemporary artist now living in the United States.

Hou Xianghua, the Deputy Director of the External Cultural Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Culture, noted that the historic exhibit at the Louvre, a world-class palace of art, “demonstrates Chinese artists’ extraordinary artistic level to the whole world.”

The press conference, held on January 13 in Beijing, was organized by the China International Culture Association. According to Chinanews.com, the exhibition would display over 50 pieces of Li Hongtao’s works in recent years. It was jointly organized by the China International Culture Association, French International Curating Group, and other related institutions.  

The article added that the Ministry of Culture official also pointed out: “In recent years, the cultural relations between China and France have been increasing and the exchanges have become more and more frequent. It is mutually beneficial for the two nations to further expand exchanges and cooperation through various kinds of artistic activities.”

According to the article written by Yin Li, Counsellor of China International Culture Association Peng Youke announced that after the exhibition at the Louvre, the works were scheduled to be on another exhibition from January 28 to February 1 at the Centre Culturel De Chine a Paris.

Spearheaded by government departments, the event would not only promote Chinese art for a much more booming development, the article noted. It also represents a very positive impetus for artistic exchanges between China and other countries, as well as Chinese art being integrated into world culture.

Experts comment that Li Hongtao’s works express the abstraction of some kind of thinking though his use of colors. They point to the spread, accumulation, stack and free flush of the colors becoming the theme of his works. They noted that his works combine all of his artistic skills and perception on life, pouring his art with so much positive energy with its vibrant, warm and bright colors. Indeed, his paintings are unique, experts agree, and not just for the simple abstraction, but also for the perfect combination of sensibility and rationality.

During the press conference, artist Li Hongtao talked about his creative experiences during 15 years of living in the United States. He said freehand and abstract brushwork are more easily acceptable by foreign audiences due to the difference between Chinese and Western aesthetic standards.

“Only innovation can bring the new development of Chinese art in this new era,” he remarked. “Oil painting originated in the West and was introduced into China much later. However, with Chinese artists dedicating themselves into it, Chinese oil paintings are forming a unique artistic style. Many excellent domestic artists have been going abroad and drawing the attention of the whole world.”

Original Article in Chinese:

中国旅美画家李洪涛画展在巴黎卢浮宫举行

文章来源：欧洲时报　作者： 发布日期：2011-01-27

      [欧洲时报记者晓辰报道]1月25日上午，中国旅美画家李洪涛画展在巴黎卢浮宫卡罗斯厅隆重开幕。画展由中国对外文化交流协会、法国皮尔·卡丹公司、法国国际策展集团公司主办，巴黎中国文化中心、法中文化艺术交流中心、法国光彩缘文化传媒有限公司协办。中国驻法大使孔泉出席了开幕式。

       孔泉大使在开幕式上预祝李洪涛画展取得圆满成功，并希望今后能有更多这样的展览，使法国民众了解中国艺术家是如何植根于自己的生活，植根于世界的生活，以及如何植根于各国人民之间的交流的。

       法国服装大师皮尔·卡丹表示，他很高兴参加这个画展，李洪涛的作品很有深度和表现力，展现了中国文化。这个画展是中西文化间一次很好的交流活动。

       本次画展展出了李洪涛油画作品50余件，风格现代，色彩奔放，手法独特，个性鲜明，想象力丰富，受到法国文化艺术界人士的高度评价。李洪涛在画展上表示，希望作品能让观者获得美感和愉悦感，并从中感受到中国文学艺术修养和道家、佛教思想的启迪。

       据悉，李洪涛出生于大连，现旅居美国，是美国兰多夫梅肯学院名誉教授，以及多家国际美术机构的艺术顾问。他先后在新加坡、日本、美国等地举办画展并屡获大奖。本次画展在卢浮宫卡罗斯厅展出至1月27日。1月28日至2月1日将在巴黎中国文化中心展出。

      中国对外文化交流协会秘书长助理彭尤克参赞代表主办方在开幕式上致辞，他说，李洪涛带著作品来到巴黎，让更多法国人近距离地了解、欣赏一个中国艺术家的作品。艺术无疆界，相信中西方艺术的交融必将促进世界绘画艺术的发展。