LI CHEVALIER
B. Beijing, China, 1961
Li Chevalier is a visual artist renowned for her unique approach to ink and mixed media painting, skilfully creating canvases that evoke the ephemeral beauty and fluidity of ink on paper. Her work, described by herself as "Ink, Experimental, and Semi-abstract," is a testament to her innovative spirit and deep understanding of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions.
Li's artistic journey began in the 1990s with a profound encounter with Italian Renaissance art. This experience ignited a passion within her, leading her to explore painting as a means of self-expression. While initially a personal pursuit, her dedication and experimentation with techniques, particularly the manipulation of ink and mixed media on canvas, have propelled her into a life-long pursuit of artistic exploration.
Li's process is driven by a desire to externalise her unique inner world on the canvas. Her chosen subject matter, landscape, serves not as mere depictions of the physical world but rather as imagined spaces where the "song of souls is performed and displayed." By combining Western mixed media painting techniques, honed during her studies at Central Saint Martins in London, with the traditional Eastern art form of landscape painting, she seeks to create a contemporary dialogue between cultures.
The artist's works convey a range of existential experiences, including illusiveness, evanescence, solitude, desire, and fear. Drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophy, her paintings explore the mysteries and ambiguities of life, while also echoing themes found in Western Romanticism. Her artistic sensibilities resonate with artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Victor Hugo, Zoran Mušič, Anselm Kiefer, Miquel Barceló, and Loïc Le Groumellec, as well as the intellectual paintings (literati paintings) of Chinese art and the post-Romantic music of Gustav Mahler.
Li's current projects include an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of Asian Arts-Guimet in Paris, where she will showcase her multimedia installation "Flying Soul." Additionally, she is working on installation pieces exploring the complex relationship between language, art, and censorship.
Li's art is a testament to her ability to bridge cultural divides and create visually stunning works that resonate with viewers on a deep emotional and intellectual level. Her ongoing experimentation and dedication to pushing the boundaries of her craft promise a bright future filled with continued artistic innovation.
