About "The Third Abstract State of Mind"

Xiaoqiang Li's new ink works on paper springs from the deeply felt human condition. His patient layering of ink brush strokes on textured watercolor paper is a process of active meditation while developing the image. In sharing this act that is intrinsic and close to his heart, some of the paintings are collaborations with his daughters, Kelly, Lemon, and Amy.

The paintings sometimes serves as placeholders of memories, such as in "Definition of Time No.1", Confined No. 2", and in others it is a consideration of wonder that one sees in "Mirror of the Netherworld". The artist strives to come to terms with and maintain inner serenity within our chaotic world that is full of natural and artificial constructs. With all the technology in the world, we are reminded that humankind's first language of direct image-making with "traditional materials" is still where the individual voice can be recorded and heard.

The quest for an artist is never over, as they always have more they want to understand and communicate through their art.

XiaoQiang Li’s Artist’s Statement:

The New Ink Painting Movement was initially established in the field of Neo-Expressionism, with an emphasis on the expression of subjective intentions. My works seem intuitive at first glance, yet all have undergone a long period of observation and contemplation.

Since the 80s, I witnessed the emergence of waves of new art movements, along with the development of countless contemporary expressions at home and abroad. Through years of practice and experimentation, I came to understand both the fusion and transformation of tradition and modernity.

In this current era of chaos and animosity, when individuals are more obstinate than ever, "spiritual rhythm" still lingers, forming a subtle spatio-temporal relationship between objective observation and artistic portrayal.

How do subject and artwork cross and coexist, and in what form do observer and observed take? Inspiration must be based on spatio-temporality, i.e. maintaining a certain degree of spatial and temporal distance from reality.

Abstract yet rational thinking, when speaking of the expression of pure naturalism and humanistic observation, are distinctly different, while the visual tension and uniqueness of ink echo its form.

The spiritual release goes far beyond a simple expression of natural humanity.

Humans are helpless in the face of the epidemic, as if the pause button was abruptly pressed. Expectations, love and hate, gain and loss, all vanish in an instant. In the darkness, you can only look up at the stars and see the "light" draining all color from our world.

"The Third Abstract State of Mind"; An Expression in New Contemporary Ink by XiaoQiang Li was curated by Qingsong Hao with exhibition advisors Hui Tian and Bangyao Li.