The Tian Xing Art Space or Shanghai is currently featuring several works of Christian painter Li Guoming entitled “Let Doves Fly” on April 29.
The painter – Li Guoming- was born in Xiang City in Henan Province in 1965. He is a resident of Songzhuang Painter Village since 2005 and throughout his tenure as a painter, he has participated in various domestic exhibitions and some of his works were displayed on various art institutions and bought by various individuals.Li started painting since he was a child and he began painting countryside and adjacent scenery. He then dabbed into traditional Chinese painting and combined it with various elements of his personal style.
The exhibition features 20 different oil paintings made by Li and in the opening ceremony of the exhibit, he said that the doves represented purity, goodness, peace and friendship. When he was making each piece, he would invite families and bodies to pray with him while trying to invoke the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire him. “My Lord, you are the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley….” He had gotten an inspiration in the process and managed these works of art.
Experts and scholars who have browsed the exhibit stressed that Li’s works present a different perspective on how Christianity can be seen in Li’s works. According to Dr. Liu Pingdan of the religion and philosophy department of Fudan University, the work’s theme is very clear. The work emphasized the theme “light” through the cross and sheep. Li then added the images of clouds, flowers, and doves. Adding everything together, Dr. Pingdan said that it emphasized that Jesus watches over us through a variety of things such as doves, sheep and others.
On the start of the exhibition, CCD speaks with Li Guoming and talks to him about his works and his belief.
CCD: The doves you painted are wonderful. What inspired you to paint in this aspect?
LI: Actually, I attended an art show called “Peace Light” and I got awarded. The brothers and sisters in the church who hosted the show liked my works and one advised me to try painting doves. I replied that I will try my best.
However, when I started painting my first three pieces, my mind went blank. I didn’t have a good inspiration so I invited my relatives and friends to pray with me. I prayed for the Lord for guidance and as I prayed, the Holy Spirit allowed me to memorize lines of a song: “you are the rose of Sharon…” After praying, I painted two pictures of a lily and a rose. The Holy Spirit reminded me once more “I am the way, the truth and the life.” The Lord is the light from the sky… therefore, I have been worked a series of works with the theme of light in them. Most of the paintings I did were done in parts. I never painted them in one day. I would often seek the guidance of God and the Lord said “for every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” So my works were all inspired and guided with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
CCD: Why paint doves?
Li: According to the Bible, a dove has a spiritual meaning. It is pure, docile, kind and peaceful.
CCD: How did you become a Christian?
Li: My father is a pastor and I was born in a Christian home. In the time of the Cultural Revolution, my father suffered greatly due to the persecution against minorities. He prayed every night, asking for God to conserve and lead us. He was afraid that the disaster will spread in our home. He asked God to watch over us and take care of us and our family has been safe throughout the revolution.
Father taught us to remember that we are in Jesus Christ’s heart. Our father assisted the poor by giving them food and some shelter. As I watched my father, I was inspired and touched because he did all of it for the love of Christ.
Father was also sturdy when it comes to developing our spiritual mindset. He taught all of us to sing psalms and preach the Gospel. At first, I didn’t understand the words and teachings our father taught us. However, I was happy to sing. My father also went to evangelize others and would be gone for many days. Around those days, I miss my father terribly.
CCD: What do you want to tell your fellow Christians?
Li: These works represent positive emotions, love and peace. The entire series reflects the aspects of “light”, bringing people closer to the light and give them new hope.
The exhibition would be shown from April 29 to May 3 and it is hosted by the Tian Xing Art Space of Shanghai, Leierda Enterprise Company Limited, Colorful Stars Creation Space and the Overseas Chinese Community Association.
Translated by: Zhao Yi
