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Lot Essay
The subject of a lotus flower is a recurring motif in many Chinese poems and painting for its artistic appeal, natural grace and most importantly its symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. It is symbolic of purity, modesty, time, beauty and even sexuality in Chinese. Thus contextualizing the Mao Lizi's withering lotus painting; it partakes of a multitude of interpretative meanings. The enormous lotus in such a colour tone resembles those pure lotus are out of mud without dye. This image might indicates the artist's noble ideology pursuit. It could also mean the loss of sexuality or fervor of the people because of age, fear, or apathy among others. It can denote a multitude of meaning especially to viewers of Chinese origin, considerably adding to the significance and splendor of Mao Lizi's painting beyond its aesthetic appeal.
The artistic revolutionary spirit of Mao Lizi can partly be attributed to his membership to the Stars Group of painters, a group of Chinese painters that sought for artistic freedom in the midst of a country that dictates social realism as its official aesthetic policy. Mao Lizi is one of the artists who adhered to the centrality of individuality in social and creative expression. Informally appropriating Western forward looking art movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, and Surrealism.
Mao Lizi along with his peers in Stars attempted to deviate from government approved art institutions and associations and chase for individuality of expression.
Fortunately for the art world, the oppression of art provided the impetus for artists like Mao Lizi to acquire a new approach to painting that creates an entirely new visual impact that lies between natural and abstract as well as literal and metaphorical presentation.
Born in 1950A Shanxi, China, Mao Lizi studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and received his BFA in 1987. Major exhibitions of the artist include: Beijing-Background, 798 Art Festival, La Case Gallery, Beijing, China (2006); Starting Point, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China (2007); Reconstruct-Chinese Contemporary Abstract Art exhibition, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China (2010); A Flower is Not a Flower, Liechtenstein Art Center, the Principality of Liechtenstein (2010); Reality & Illusion - Mao Lizi Solo Exhibition, Asia Art Center, Beijing, China (2011); Infinity - Mao Lizi Tour Exhibition, Asia Art Center, Taipei (2013). Mao Lizi currently lives and works in Beijing.
The artistic revolutionary spirit of Mao Lizi can partly be attributed to his membership to the Stars Group of painters, a group of Chinese painters that sought for artistic freedom in the midst of a country that dictates social realism as its official aesthetic policy. Mao Lizi is one of the artists who adhered to the centrality of individuality in social and creative expression. Informally appropriating Western forward looking art movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, and Surrealism.
Mao Lizi along with his peers in Stars attempted to deviate from government approved art institutions and associations and chase for individuality of expression.
Fortunately for the art world, the oppression of art provided the impetus for artists like Mao Lizi to acquire a new approach to painting that creates an entirely new visual impact that lies between natural and abstract as well as literal and metaphorical presentation.
Born in 1950A Shanxi, China, Mao Lizi studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and received his BFA in 1987. Major exhibitions of the artist include: Beijing-Background, 798 Art Festival, La Case Gallery, Beijing, China (2006); Starting Point, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China (2007); Reconstruct-Chinese Contemporary Abstract Art exhibition, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China (2010); A Flower is Not a Flower, Liechtenstein Art Center, the Principality of Liechtenstein (2010); Reality & Illusion - Mao Lizi Solo Exhibition, Asia Art Center, Beijing, China (2011); Infinity - Mao Lizi Tour Exhibition, Asia Art Center, Taipei (2013). Mao Lizi currently lives and works in Beijing.