Landscape of Li River, Bai Xueshi

Exhibition Label:
"Using the Past to Serve the Present in 20th Century Chinese Painting," Oct-2006, Ai-lian Liu, Asian Art Intern
Inscription:
"Blue are the wide stretches of the winding river
Green are the myriad dots on the Guilin mountains"

Located on the Li River, Guilin is one of China’s major tourist attractions. Its distinct geological formations attract visitors from around the world. Bai Xueshi first traveled to Guilin in 1973 and became intrigued with its verdant landscape. He made return visits in 1977 and 1980. This painting was made after his third trip.

Bai Xueshi’s career was deeply affected by the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Like many other “intellectuals,” he spent several years performing forced hard labor in the countryside. The physical work and direct contact with
ordinary “workers” engaged these artists in the world around them in a way that their classical training had not. Bai Xueshi said: "Before the liberation [1949], we spent most of our time imitating the old masters… However, after the liberation we felt that we had to go to the people to experience their ways of life…. The old masters stressed the desirability of ‘walking 10,000 li’ in addition to ‘reading 10,000 books’. Now I can understand what they meant."
Quoted from Yao-wen and Chu-tsing Li, “Bai Xueshi,” Orientations, March, 1983

Archive Label 2003:
As a youth, Bai studied painting with a pupil of Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) and deeply admired the works of Song masters. In 1973, he moved to Guilin where the subtropical terrain inspired a significant change in his style. In Landscape of the Li River, Bai has depicted the scenery of that region. The extensive use of wash and bold green color well express the moist, lush climate. In addition to capturing the spirit and physical cahracteristics of Guilin, Bai has explored the potentials of design. By representing the quiet river view in this bold new manner, Bai has expressed the vigorous spirit of modern China.