Email:
lxq798@126.com
Title
Tenured Professor
Education Background
1978-1982: Bachelor’s degree, Department of Sculpture, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts
1987-1990: Master’s degree, Department of Sculpture, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts
Work Experience
1982-1987: Teaching at the Department of Sculpture, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts
1990-2000: Researcher, Sculpture Research Institute of the Central Academy of Fine Arts
2000-2014: Professor, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
2014-2023.07: Professor Level II, President, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, and Part-time Professor, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
2023.08-Present: Professor, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Academic Services
Member, National Committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
Vice President, China Artists Association
Dual-appointed Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Member of the Academic Committee, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Member, Exhibition Review Committee of the National Museum of China
Deputy Director, National Major Theme Art Creation Committee
Vice Chairman, Teaching Steering Committee for Fine Arts Programs in Higher Education Institutions, Ministry of Education
Chief Curator, 9th Beijing International Art Biennale
Research Interests
Research on figurative sculpture and basic sculpture teaching
Academic Claims
In undergraduate basic teaching, particular emphasis should be placed on building a solid foundation, focusing on the fundamental laws and essential knowledge of art education. In practical teaching, it is crucial to distinguish clearly between principles and experience, and to identify what can be taught and what cannot. He emphasizes two key aspects in art education. First, students should develop a clear understanding of systematic knowledge and scientific methods of observation. Second, teaching should follow a structured approach - progressive in stages, differentiated by levels, and organized by topics - underscoring the logical sequence of foundational training. This pedagogical framework allows students, over their four to five years of undergraduate study, to gain a solid grasp of the fundamental laws of art and objective reality. It also enables them to gain a clear understanding of the fundamental principles and laws related to art and to apply them effectively in their artistic creations. In the process of artistic creation, students are encouraged to embark on a journey of self-discovery, identifying their strengths and unique qualities through comparison with other artists. This process helps to solidify their artistic direction and conviction. They are guided to reflect on how their personal perception, experience, and understanding can be harnessed to interpret and express the complex relationships between humanity, society, and the natural world with greater depth and insight.
1. In figurative sculpture studies, the priority is to strengthen students’ foundational skills. The next step is to deepen their understanding of form, fostering a harmonious connection between the mind, hands, and heart. This reflects the academy’s time-honored traditions. Students are encouraged to experiment with new materials and ideas, rethinking figurative sculpture and discovering its boundless possibilities. They are guided through a process of transition from mastering the basics to engaging in creative exploration, allowing them to express themselves fully and embrace the academy’s artistic legacy through a solid foundation and hands-on experimentation. Ultimately, students are inspired to focus on the present and embrace the responsibilities of contemporary artists.
2. Two methods should be taught in basic sculpture education: first, a scientific approach to observation. This means carefully studying the basic form and features of the object to be sculpted, starting with a broad overview before moving on to a more detailed examination. This approach helps students better understand the overall characteristics of the object and capture its architectural sense. Second, an understanding of the objective laws of artistic expression. In scientific teaching, a principle is often represented by a formula, which may vary in values but remains unchanged in its structure. The same applies to art. There are inherent laws in the forms and structures of objects, and the process of creation follows its own set of rules. Understanding the structure of different objects helps in explaining the abstraction in forms, while mastering the principles of form-making can help avoid common mistakes.
Overall, in education and teaching, the focus should be on three key areas: First, strengthening the foundation by building solid fundamental skills in undergraduate teaching. Second, promoting bold experimentation and strengthening graduate-level teaching through experiments and expansion, while accumulating experience for artistic innovation and entrepreneurship. Third, reinforcing the theoretical foundation by strengthening art theory research at the doctoral level, and delving deeply into academic and professional fields.
Academic Achievements
Publications
Statue Making, Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House, November 2019, ISBN: 9787535689788
Ju, Jilin Fine Arts Publishing House, November 2014, ISBN: 978-7-5386-8966-2
Contemporary Chinese Artists Academic Series - Li Xiangqun, Jilin Fine Arts Publishing House, September 2012, ISBN: 978-7-538-6620-5
Li Xiangqun Sculpture Collection, Liaoning Art Publishing House, May 2010, ISBN: 978-7-5314-4294-3
Sculptor Studio, Heilongjiang Fine Arts Publishing House, September 2001, ISBN: 7531809540
Solo Exhibitions
Sculpture of the Ages - Li Xiangqun Sculpture Art Exhibition, Guardian Art Center, Beijing, China, 2019
Facing North - Li Xiangqun’s Art Exhibition, Hongmei Park, Shenyang, China, 2019
As a Mirror - Li Xiangqun Contemporary Art Exhibition, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shenzhen, China, 2018
Together - Li Xiangqun Art Exhibition, ZERO Art Center, Beijing, China, 2018
Reconstruction - Li Xiangqun Art Exhibition, Left Bank Art Museum, Jiashan, China, 2017
City · Phenomenon - Li Xiangqun Art Exhibition, Palace Museum, Beijing, China, 2016
Walking - Li Xiangqun Art Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China, 2012
Awards
Heatherley School of Fine Art Prize at FACE 2020: 56th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, “Wang Shenglie,” London, UK, 2020
54th Florence International Muse Award, Florence, Italy, 2019
Third batch of leading talents in philosophy and social sciences of the National “Ten Thousand Talents Program,” Beijing, China, 2018
Liaoning Province Higher Education Climbing Scholar, Shenyang, Liaoning, 2017
National Young and Middle-Aged Artist with Outstanding Moral and Artistic Achievements, Beijing, China, 2015
Taylor Foundation Award at the 2013 Winter Salon, “Xingjian,” Paris, France, 2013
State Council Special Allowance, Beijing, China, 2013
Best Portrait Sculpture and Freakley Prize at the 48th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, “Mo Wei,” London, UK, 2011
“Four Groups of Talents” of the departments of publicity and culture, Beijing, China, 2011
National Young and Middle-Aged Artist with Outstanding Moral and Artistic Achievements, Beijing, China, 2011
Top 10 Elites in Beijing Chaoyang Cultural and Creative Industry, Beijing, China, 2009
Excellence Award at the Yixing China Urban Sculpture Competition, “Xu Beihong,” Yixing, China, 2009
New China Urban Sculpture Construction Achievement Award, “To Sports Forever,” Beijing, China, 2009
Pangolin Prize, Annual Exhibition of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, “Shan Xiu,” London, UK, 2006
Outstanding Works Award, The 3rd National Urban Sculpture Exhibition, Beijing, China, 2004
Bronze Award, Faculty Exhibition of Tsinghua University, “Fu,” Beijing, China, 2003
Excellence Award, Art and Science International Exhibition, “Relay Racer,” Beijing, China, 2001
Excellence Award, Art and Science International Exhibition, “Strategy of Attack,” Beijing, China, 2001
First Prize, 4th National Sports Art Exhibition, “Relay Racer,” Beijing, China, 1997
Excellence Award, 2nd National Urban Sculpture Exhibition, Beijing, China, 1994
Excellence Award, 8th National Exhibition of Fine Arts, “Smile of Spring,” 1994
Special Award, 3rd National Sports Art Exhibition, “To Sports Forever,” Beijing, China, 1993
Excellence Award, 91 Hakone Open-Air Museum Exhibition, “Waiting for the Sun to Rise,” Ibaraki, Japan
Organization and Planning of Academic Activities
Academic Advisor, 2020 Shenzhen Contemporary Animation Academic Exhibition & Forum on Integration of Animation Education and Industry Development, Shenzhen, December 2020
Chief Curator, 2020 Shenzhen Bay Public Art Season “Intellective City” Exhibition, Shenzhen, November 2020
“Ongoing Opening-up” Shenzhen Bay Public Art Season, Shenzhen, November 2019
Academic Host, North Land - 1st Oil Painting Exhibition of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, June 2019
Academic Convener, “Embracing the Future” T20+ Jiashan Art Summit, Xinxitang, Zhejiang, January 2018
Social Services
In 2004, Li Xiangqun submitted a proposal to the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People’s Congress, titled Preserve an Old Industrial Architectural Heritage, Safeguard a Growing Cultural District, contributing to the preservation and development of the 798 Art District. In 2014, he submitted a proposal to the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) advocating for the strengthening of aesthetic education in basic education, which was adopted after the session. In his artistic practice, he led the creation of the “21” major sculpture project commissioned by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; the group sculpture “The Banner” for the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), which includes five large-scale sculpture works such as “Our Former Principal;” and the large-scale group sculpture “Towards Victory” for the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution. He led the renovation of the Shenyang 9.18 Historical Museum, the creation of the Shenyang Mozi Mountain Sculpture Park, and the Liaoning Dandong Volunteer Army Sculpture Park, as well as the establishment of the Shenyang Hongmei MSG Factory Cultural and Creative Industry Park. Additionally, he was involved in the planning and construction of both the new and old campuses of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, which were incorporated into Liaoning Province’s 14th Five-Year Plan, alongside other major national and regional art projects.
Teaching
Courses: Portrait Sculpture in Clay, Figurative Sculpture, and Human Body Sculpture, as well as graduate courses and research projects
