Cao Li

Cao Li, position: Associate Professor, Director of the Teaching and Research Section of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, native of Nanjing, Jiangsu. Cao Li was admitted to the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1978. In 1980, he transferred to the Mural Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating in 1982, he stayed at the school to teach. He is currently an associate professor and director of the teaching and research section of the Mural Painting Department of our college. Courses taught: sketching, oil painting, color design, line drawing, painting composition.

Chinese name: Cao Li

Nationality: Chinese

Ethnicity: Han

Birthplace: Nanjing, China

Date of birth: February 1954

Occupation: Painter

Graduation school: Central Academy of Fine Arts

Main achievements: The work "Shepherd Boy" was awarded to the National Art Museum of China Collection

Representative works: "Impression of a Small Town"

Early Life

Name: Cao Li

Gender: Male

Date of birth: February 1954

Position: Professor, Director of the Teaching and Research Section of the Central Academy of Fine Arts

A native of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Cao Li was admitted to the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1978. In 1980, he transferred to the Mural Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. After graduating in 1982, he stayed at the school to teach. He is currently a professor and director of the Mural Painting Department of our college. Courses taught: sketching, oil painting, color design, line drawing, painting composition.

Has held many personal exhibitions: 1988 (Beijing), 1989 (Taiwan), 1992 (Spain), 1992 (Spain), 1994 (Hong Kong), 1998 (Beijing).

Representative works

The "Horse and Corridor" series of paintings, "Shepherd Boy" (collected by the National Art Museum of China), "Herding Cows" (collected by Diaoyutai State Guesthouse), "Wilderness", "Village" "Female", "The Last Song", "Open Score", "Golden Sky", "Dance of Life", "Boys Playing with Paper Birds", "Children's Chorus", "Horse", "Mother and Son", etc. .

Main works

In 1984, he participated in the "Mural Teachers' Works Exhibition" exhibited at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition Hall.

In 1985, he participated in the "November Painting Exhibition" exhibited in the east hall of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

In 1986, he participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China and the "First Oil Painting Exhibition of the Beijing International Art Garden".

In 1987, he participated in the "Toward the Future" exhibition at the National Art Museum of China and the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition" at the HEFNER Gallery in New York, USA.

In 1988, he participated in the "Five People Group Exhibition" at EFNER Gallery in New York, USA, and participated in the "First Sketch Exhibition of Young and Middle-aged Teachers of the Central Academy of Fine Arts" and "Oil Painting Body Art Exhibition" of the National Art Museum of China. In 1989, he participated in the 7th National Art Works Exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

In 1990, he participated in the "Teachers Biennale" exhibition at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition Hall.

In 1991, he participated in the "Chinese Modern Art Exhibition" exhibited at the Kawahiko Art Museum in Japan, and the "Mural Collection of Teachers of the Mural Department" and the "91.3 Painting Exhibition" exhibited in the Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition Hall.

In 1992, he participated in the "20th Century, China" art exhibition at the National Art Museum of China.

In 1993, he participated in the "93 Chinese Oil Painting Annual Exhibition" and "Chinese Oil Painting Biennial Exhibition" at the National Art Museum of China.

In 1996, he participated in the "Repeat Beginning" oil painting group exhibition at the People's Cultural Palace in Beijing.

In 1997, he participated in the "Open Door" Chinese Oil Painting Exhibition in Oklahoma, USA.

In 1999, he participated in the "Invitational Exhibition of Sketch Art from China's Higher Art Universities".

In 2000, he participated in the "Art in Science" International Works Invitational Exhibition and "20th Century Chinese Oil Painting Exhibition" at the National Art Museum of China.

In 2002, he participated in the "2002 China Guardian International Auction".

In 2003, he participated in the "First China Beijing International Art Biennale", "Exhibition of Teachers' Works from Ten Chinese Art Schools", and "International Contemporary Sketch Art Invitational Exhibition".

In 2004, he participated in the "Impression of Wuyi - the first face-to-face interactive creation by Chinese and German artists" international touring exhibition (China).

In 2005, he participated in the 10th National Art Exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.

In 2006, he participated in "Image Wuyi" - the first international touring exhibition of face-to-face interactive creations by Chinese and German artists (Germany), and "Walking on Paper" - Cao Li's Paper Works Exhibition (Ningbo·Ningbo Art Museum).

In 2007, the Eternal Pastoral - Cao Li's Oil Painting Exhibition was held (China·Shanghai Art Museum, China·Ningbo Art Museum)

Works

1982< /p>

Under the guidance of Mr. Hou Yimin, he worked on his graduation creation "Miao Family Style". After graduation, he stayed in the Mural Painting Department as a teaching assistant. In the same year, he created wood relief works such as "Song of Life", "Wandering", "Girl and Dove", etc., and published them in the 10th issue of "Art".

1983

In order to paint horses, I went to Hulunbuir Grassland in Hailar, Inner Mongolia to experience life, and created wood reliefs such as "Drawing Water", "Horse Head", "Embrace", "Female Body" and other works .

The third issue of "Illustrated Magazine" of Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House published part of the mural "Miao Family Customs".

1984

Created a series of four oil paintings "Horse and Corridor", a series of seven "Seven-Colored Birds", and a series of sketches.

Participated in the "Exhibition of Works of Mural Department Teachers" on display at the Exhibition Hall of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

1985

Created four "Horse" paintings, 20 human body line drawings and a large number of experimental works.

Participated in the "November Art Exhibition" on display in the east hall of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

The first issue of "Painter" published by Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House published four oil paintings in the series "Horse and Corridor", four paintings in the series "Seven-Colored Birds", "Gray Tone" and other works, and also published an article "The Playboy and His Dream - About the Young Painter Cao Li" (written by Sun Jingbo) and "Words Outside the Painting" (written by me).

1986

Created the oil paintings "Village Girl" (collected by Chinese-American Chen Yifei), "Shepherd Boy" (collected by National Art Museum of China), "Herding Cows" (collected by Diaoyutai State Guesthouse), " "Love", "Colorful Clouds", "Red Flashing Thoughts" (Personal Collection of Japan) and "Horse" Group of Paintings (Personal Collection of the United States).

Take students to Inner Mongolia for sketching practice.

Participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition" and "Beijing International Art Garden's First Oil Painting Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China.

The works "Shepherd", "Laundry", "Sheng Dance", "Drinking", "Cutting" and "Carrying" were published in "Sketch Art" of Hubei Fine Arts Publishing House.

The 9th issue of "Art" published the oil painting "Horse".

The fourth issue of "New Observation" published the oil painting "Horse" and four watercolor sketches.

The sixth issue of "National Unity" published the oil painting "Shepherd Boy" and the watercolor works "Running Horse" and "Miao Song".

The oil painting "Shepherd Boy" was published in the 10th issue of "Fuchunjiang Pictorial" by Zhejiang People's Fine Arts Publishing House.

The 8th issue of "Story Pictorial" published by Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House published the comic book "The Mysterious Castle".

The 39th issue of Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House's "Art Series" published 8 decorative paintings, 4 paper-cuts, 6 sketches, and 8 human body sketches.

The 27th issue of "China Art News" published the oil painting "Horse".

Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House published the comic book "Sunflower" in "Chinese Comic Book Selections".

1987

Served as a lecturer in the Mural Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Created oil paintings "Drizzle", "Lakeside" (personal collection in Japan), "Grass and Shepherd Boy", "Blue Fog", "Twilight", "Morning", "Return of the Shepherd", "Music" Tree".

Created 200 comic strips "Gulliver's Travels".

Participated in the "Towards the Future" exhibition at the National Art Museum of China.

Participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition" at Hefner Gallery in New York, USA.

The 24th issue of "China Art News" published the sketch work "Mugui" and the article "Talking about Cao Li's sketches" (Wei Hewen).

Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House published a personal album of "Cao Li's Decorative Paintings" and published an article "Charming Childlike Heart" (written by Zhan Jianjun).

Guangxi People's Publishing House published 16 human body line drawings in "Selected Chinese Line Drawings and Modern Human Body Works".

The third issue of "Chinese Oil Painting" published by Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House published the second oil painting "Horse".

The first issue of "Beijing Literature" published the oil painting "Horse and Corridor".

Zhejiang People's Fine Arts Publishing House published 200 comic strips of "Gulliver's Travels" in the "World Literature Masterpieces Comics".

1988

Created the oil paintings "Dusk", "Morning", "Twilight" (personal collection in Japan), "Black and White" (personal collection in Taiwan), "Dream", " "Mother and Son" (personal collection in Japan), "Nature" (personal collection in Japan), "Circus Picture" (personal collection in Taiwan), "Wrangler" and other works.

Participated in the "Five People Group Exhibition" at Hefner Gallery in New York, USA.

The first solo exhibition was held at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Gallery: "Cao Li's Oil Paintings and Pottery Exhibition".

Participated in the "First Sketch Exhibition of Young and Middle-aged Teachers of the Central Academy of Fine Arts" and "Oil Painting Body Art Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China.

Published five sketches in Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House's "Sketch Collection".

Lijiang Publishing House published the oil painting "Horse" in "New Realistic Painting".

The 8th issue of "China Art News" published the oil painting "Drizzle".

Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House published the personal album "Cao Li's Sketches".

Guangxi People's Publishing House published five oil paintings, "Spring", "Summer", "Autumn", "Winter" and "Mystery", in the "Oil Painting Body Art Exhibition Collection".

Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House "Chinese Oil Painting" published the oil paintings "Colorful Clouds", "Miao Children", "Fairy Tales", "Cowherd" and the article "Dreams Under the Paintbrush" (written by Wu Houbin) .

1989

Created oil paintings such as "A Glimpse of a Small Town", "Impression of a Small Town", and "The Waking of Insects".

The second solo exhibition was held at Taipei Longmen Gallery.

"Small Town Impression" participated in the "Seventh National Art Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China and won the bronze medal (Personal Collection in Germany).

In the autumn, I went to Luodian, Guizhou to experience life and drew a number of sketches.

1990

Created the oil paintings "Paradise", "Surprise", "Wilderness" (personal collection in Singapore), "Under the Papaya Tree" (personal collection in the United States), "Mystery Wall" ( Spanish personal collection), "Avatar Series" and other works (Personal collection in the United States).

Participated in the "Teachers' Works Biennial Exhibition" exhibited at the Central Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition Hall.

1991

Created the oil paintings "Avatar Series", "Masquerade", "Youth" (Personal Collection in Spain) and 12 miniature oil paintings (Personal Collection in the United States).

Participated in the "Chinese Modern Art Exhibition" at the Kawaguchiko Art Museum in Japan.

Participated in the "Exhibition of Works of Mural Department Teachers" on display at the Exhibition Hall of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Participated in the “’91.3 Art Exhibition”.

The oil painting "Calabash Tree" was published in the first issue of "Art Research", the journal of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

The overseas edition of the 38th issue of "_Wang" weekly published the oil painting "Red Flute".

The oil paintings "Calabash Tree" and "Southern Fairy Tale" participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Auction" of Swire Christie's Hong Kong and went to Spain for inspection at the end of the year.

1992

Served as associate professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Participated in the "20th Century·China" Art Exhibition on display at the National Art Museum of China, and held the 3rd and 3rd editions respectively in the cultural centers of Goshenada and Barajas in Madrid, Spain. 4 personal exhibitions.

In the same year, he went to Paris, France for inspection.

The oil paintings "Red Bird", "Clover" and "Sunflower" participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Auction" of Swire Christie's Hong Kong.

Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House published the personal picture album "Selected Chinese Modern Line Drawings·Cao Li's Works Collection".

The first issue of "Jiangsu Pictorial" published by Jiangsu Fine Arts Publishing House published the oil paintings "Jingzhe" (personal collection in the United States) and "Surprise".

The second issue of "Chinese Oil Painting" published by Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House published the oil painting "Nanjing Town" (personal collection in the United States).

Jiangxi Fine Arts Publishing House published five line drawing works in "Selected Chinese Modern Line Drawings".

After returning to China, he created oil paintings such as "Playing with the Golden Toad", "Winter Goes to Spring", "My Fair Lady", etc.

1993

Created oil paintings "Survivor", "Blue Bird", "Charming Night", "Shepherd's Flute", "Flute Blowing Girl", "Nocturne", "Plum Blossom Old Man" K", "Silver", "Island" and other works.

Participated in the "Chinese Oil Painting Annual Exhibition" and "Chinese Oil Painting Biennial Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China.

Participated in the "Science and Art" art exhibition at the Yanhuang Art Museum.

The oil paintings "Red Bird" and "Day and Night" participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Auction" of Swire Christie's Hong Kong.

The 4th issue of "Art Research", the journal of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, published the oil paintings "My Fair Lady", "Masquerade", "Blue Bird", "Paradise" and five line drawings and one sketch. The article "Cao Li in Cao Li's Paintings" (written by Song Xiaoxia).

Began cooperation with Hong Kong Schoeni Gallery.

1994

The fifth solo exhibition was held at Schoeni Gallery in Hong Kong.

1995

Created oil paintings: "Noise Away", "Olive Trees in the Distance", "Open Music Score", "The Last Song", etc.

1996

Participated in the "Repeat Beginning" oil painting group exhibition at the Working People's Cultural Palace in Beijing. Exhibited works: "Midsummer", "The Last Song", "Olive Trees in the Distance", "The Noise Away", "Baby".

Creation of African Ostrich Egg No. 046, collected by the China Ostrich Association.

1997

At the invitation of American GHK Company, he went to Oklahoma, USA to attend the opening ceremony of the "Open Door" China Exhibition. Exhibited works include "The Last Song", "Open Score", "Horse" series, etc.

The ceramic works "Child's Fantasy" and "Mother and Child" participated in the "Chinese Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition" organized by the Ministry of Culture of China, and the works were collected by the Ministry of Culture.

1998

Created oil paintings such as "Exciting Sound of the Piano", "Mother and Son", "Youth", "Youth Diary" and "Children's Chorus".

"Chinese Sketch Classic Library·Cao Li's Sketch Collection" was published by Guangxi Fine Arts Publishing House.

The "6th Personal Exhibition" was held at Beijing Century Art Center. Exhibited works: 40 oil paintings and 20 sketches.

1999

Published the article "Taste of Freedom" in the 2nd issue of "Chinese Art" sponsored by China Art Publishing House in 1999, as well as the oil paintings "The Noise Away" and "The Last "Song", "Olive Trees in the Distance", "Baby", "My Fair Lady", "Pastoral Ensemble", "Wrangler", "Midsummer", "Blue Bird", "Golden Sky", "Light and Shadow".

The CD and video tape of "Cao Li's Painting Composition Techniques" were published by China Broadcasting Audio and Video Publishing House.

Participated in the "Invitational Exhibition of Sketch Art from China's Higher Art Universities". Exhibited works: "Past and Future", "Whispers".

Participated in Qingdao "International Art Invitational Exhibition". Exhibited works: "Kite", "Beach".

2000

Comments published in the 94th issue of "Art Today": "Poetry·Music·Space" (Zhang Pengwen).

Published works: "Field", "Mother and Son", "Afternoon with Moon", "Youth", "Kite", "Bird of Destiny", "Golden Sky", "Light and Shadow".

Published the article "Talk about some reflections" in the second issue of "Contemporary Artists" sponsored by Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2000, and published works: "Required Repertoire", "Urban Bustling", "Urban Bustling No. 2" ", "I'm annoyed, I want to fly".

The oil painting "Glimpses of a Small Town" is collected by the Central Academy of Fine Arts Art Museum.

Participated in the "Art and Science" International Invitational Works Exhibition at the National Art Museum of China. The exhibited works were: "Sculptures of Comprehensive Materials·New Humanity".

Participated in the "20th Century Chinese Oil Painting Exhibition" exhibited at the National Art Museum of China, with the exhibited work: "Olive Trees in the Distance".

2001

Created the fourth oil painting series of "Red Bird", "Red Earth", "Flying" and "Horse".

Published works in 129 issues of "Art World" sponsored by Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House: "Actor", "Kite", and "Concert".

2002

Participated in the "2002 China Guardian International Auction". Works included in the auction: "Red Earth" (collected by American GHK Company).

The seventh personal exhibition of "Cao's Ma Family" was held at Beijing International Art Museum. Exhibited works: 40 oil paintings and 55 sketches. He also published works and articles in other newspapers such as "Beijing Youth Daily" and "Xinbao".

Published the article "Seeking Infinity in the Limited" and 12 sketches in the 29th issue of "Chinese Art" published by China Art Publishing House.

The 4th issue of "Chinese Culture Pictorial" in 2002 published a review article: "Dreams and Metaphors - Reading Cao Li's Recent Works" (Yin Shuangxiwen, editor and critic of "Art Research" of the Central Academy of Fine Arts), and at the same time Published 10 oil paintings and 1 sketch.

2003

Created oil paintings: "Angel's Dream" Part 2, "Little Girl's Dream", "Pink Morning Wind", "Olive Tree in Dream", " "Perfect Family".

Creative sketches: "Flying", "Candlelight Song", "In the Mood for Love", "Perfect Family".

Participated in the "International Contemporary Sketch Art Invitational Exhibition" and exhibited works: "Five Leaders" and "New Sketch of Terracotta Warriors and Horses".

Published a review article "Pastoral·Dream and Poetry" in the 2003 issue 6 of "Gallery" edited and published by Lingnan Fine Arts Publishing House and Artron Art Network Co., Ltd. (Yi Ing-wen, chief editor of "World Art" of the Central Academy of Fine Arts ). At the same time, he published oil paintings: "Golden Sky", "Girl and Bird", "Nightlife", "Red Bird", "Light and Shadow", "Backlight", "Open Music Score", "Pastoral", "Youth", "Autumn" ", "Angel's Dream"; published 16 sketches "Cao's Ma Family"; published a comprehensive material sculpture "New Humanity".

Published an article in "Chinese Contemporary Painters·Series (2)" published by Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House: "Dreams and Metaphors - Reading Cao Li's Recent Works" (Yin Shuangxi Wen). He also published oil paintings: "Yunnan Fairy Tale", "Ready to Take Off", "Big Dumplings", "White Dream", "Open Music Score", "Red Earth", "Red Bird", "Flying"; published sketch "Freedom" "; Published the comprehensive material sculpture "New Humanity".

2004

The sketch works published in the second issue of 2004 of "Art Guide" of China Art Publishing House: "Room with a View", "Illusion", "Man and Nature", "Pastoral Fantasy", "Strange Dreams", "Angel's Dream", "Confused Life".

Published by Jilin Fine Arts Publishing House, "Cao Li's Sketch" is a series of contemporary painter's style sketches, with 115 works published.

Created oil paintings: "Erotic Garden", "Flying", "Yoga", "The Sound of the Piano is Like Complaint".

2005

Participated in the 10th National Art Exhibition, and the oil painting "Chinese Fairy Tale" won the "Academy Excellence Award" from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Create oil paintings: "Russia in Dreams", "Green Fairy Tale", "A Beam of Light", "Angel Game", "Shepherd Boy", "The Bird That Didn't Wake Up", "Golden Grass" , "Big Bird's Dream", "Some are happy and some are sad".

Achievements

The oil painting "Impression of Small Town" won the bronze medal in the "Seventh National Art Works Exhibition".

Published

"Chinese Sketch Classic Library - Cao Li's Sketch Collection", "Chinese Modern Line Drawing Selection - Cao Li's Work Collection", "Chinese Contemporary Painter's Line Drawing" Selections" (Cao Li's works) Hunan, "Chinese Contemporary Artist Biography---Cao Li", "Ideal and Reality" (Hong Kong), "Chinese Modern Art Criticism Series·Cao Li's Painting Collection" Guangxi, "Chinese Sketch Classics" Painting Library Cao Li" Guangxi, "Sketch Art", "Cao Li Sketch", "Cao Li Sketch Collection" (Sichuan), "Cao Li Decorative Painting" (Anhui) and other painting albums, albums and "Cao Li's Painting Composition Techniques" CDs, video tapes. The oil painting "Impression of Small Town" won the bronze medal in the "Seventh National Art Exhibition".

Social Activities

Cao Li is undoubtedly a painter with the temperament of a poet and musician. He left a series of works full of magic and objectivity to the Chinese painting world in the 20th century. It is a strange and magnificent lyrical narrative poem in which dream and reality, past and future are entangled, in which the artist's superhuman imagination and creative spirit are dancing. Among the many artists who use mysterious themes as their expression style, Cao Li is unique in his ability to narrate waking mysteries and real dreams. This must be due to the artist’s childhood hometown of Guizhou, where trees of myths and legends grow everywhere. Mountainous areas. With so much childhood consciousness, so much of the nature of music and poetry, Cao Li's works always maintain a magical realism style that is both romantic and innocent yet profound and serious, both clear and objective yet dreamy and ethereal.

Precisely because all the dreams and mysteries created by Cao Li come from real life, and use their excellent lines and colors to mark the distinctive trajectory that he wants to express and desires to reach the inner mysteries of life, we have reason to believe that despite the past The delicacy and caution of Cao Li set up a barrier that was difficult to break through for Cao Li's artistic style to develop into a freer kingdom. However, in the Chinese painting world at the end of the 20th century, there was a door that surged with demagogic songs. It was Cao Li who used his wisdom and perseverance. opened for us.

Su Lu wrote on Hedi Road in Nanning in 1994

Main exhibitions

Cao Li’s solo exhibition "Dancer with Wings" opens at Can Art Center

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On the afternoon of May 10, 2014, Cao Li's solo exhibition "Dancer with Wings" opened at the 798 Can Art Center. This exhibition displays Cao Li's representative works and works from various periods since he entered the Central Academy of Fine Arts to now. Some new works fully present the context of his artistic exploration. This exhibition is also Cao Li's first solo exhibition in Beijing in more than ten years.

Cao Li, a former violinist, graduated from the Mural Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1982. He is an artist with the qualities of a poet and musician. Cao Li was born in Guizhou. The myths, legends and Wu Nuo traditions of the southwest region give him a unique sensibility, and he narrates personal historical situations in expressive and surreal ways. His works are usually as beautiful as fairy tales and fables, and their expressions are not real visual spaces, but fantasy worlds constructed by the artist's imagination. Cao Li is extremely sensitive to color. He not only pays attention to the expressiveness of color, but also focuses on grasping the detailed structure of color. He adds free and unrestrained, architectural and rhythmic lines to make the picture full of rhythm and form a symphonic complex space. The composition of the work also breaks the concept of time and space and the rules of perspective, relentlessly pursues changes in shape, color, and composition, and uses points, lines, and surfaces to boldly combine pictures, showing his bold exploration of formal language.

Cao Li’s zodiac sign is a horse, and he loves horses very much. In his creations, horses become a metaphor for life, using various deformations of horses to express his different understandings of art forms in different periods. Therefore, horses as A spiritual carrier has multiple meanings. The short film "The Horse Whisperer's Jungle" played in the exhibition hall shows the free and unrestrained horses and the quiet and mysterious forest, which appropriately reflects the free state of Cao Li's paintings. This exhibition takes the creation period as the context and displays Cao Li's creative ideas over the decades since 1982. His early work "Horse and Corridor" is considered to be the beginning of Cao Li's independent character and self-awareness as an artist. The horse in the corridor of the old Academy of Fine Arts is a portrayal of Cao Li's mental confusion at that time. After the mid-1980s, Cao Li's paintings took on a relatively mature look—the paintings are composed of plane arrangements. His works began to appear in a lyrical style, forming a poetic and hazy mood. Because he had learned the violin, the rhythm of music and dance was gradually reflected in his paintings.

In the 1990s, Cao Li's works began to break through the self-expression of personal circumstances. After studying in Europe and returning to China, his works added rational components and explainable thoughts. He arranged people and objects from different times and spaces together, turning them into a composite visual space that integrates form and color. Such an "illusion space" color Delicate, subtle, rich and dense, the strange shapes and elegant color atmosphere are mixed together to present a fantasy scene that is completely different from reality, but is indeed similar. "Dancer with Wings" created in 1996 has a clear image, absurd and exaggerated shape, and reveals a mysterious metaphor. Cao Li's works in the 1990s began to produce contradictory entities. "The Noise Away" is such a work. When the city became crowded and the environment was noisy and noisy, Cao Li's subconscious began to return to "Guizhou" , pursuing a state of tranquility. In the painting, Cao Li represents the city symbolically. Cars and telephones, as symbols of the external world, are juxtaposed with traditional horses and folk musical instruments, as if the juxtaposition of self and non-self. Analogizing the various rules of modern civilization and the contradictions of primitive vitality into the same space is a reflection of his personal emotions and social position, and also provides him with greater room for formal exploration.

After 2000, Cao Li’s paintings not only expressed rural pastoral lyrics, but also revealed his insights on life. The image of “horse” began to become rich and full, with populist kindness and humor. , becoming a self-symbol of an increasingly broader and more inclusive multiculturalism.

At this time, Cao Li's pursuit of humanities became more intense, and he began to pay attention to larger themes, so large-scale works expressing the relationship between man and nature, life and society began to appear: "512 Memory of Wenchuan" is a sad but sad feeling of compassion; The forbearing and great salvation image of "Legend of the Twenty-first Century"; the dreamy and colorful childlike color of "Fable of the New Century". Behind the thinking, these works imply optimism about life and urban heroism. As Yin Jinan said: "Heroes are also the theme of modern cities. In Cao Li's works, this heroic temperament is reflected in the recollection of the past and the nostalgia for different civilizations and heroes."

Cao Li's paintings reveal a calm, sustained and composed artistic attitude. He embodies the continuous efforts of modernist artists in the 20th century - to use language to assemble a spiritual whole in a scattered material world, maintaining the vitality of imagination and the freedom of soul. Underneath the vivid and charming artistic expression, there is childlike innocence and naughtiness, full of vigorous youthful vitality and passion, and the surreal free structure and the expressionistic free mood are blended together. What is implicit is his love for The pursuit of "truth, goodness and beauty". The exhibition will last until June 5th.