Born in Tianjin where he currently he resides in 1958. Trained at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts.
Li Jin has chosen to respond to one of the Museum’s finest early figure paintings, the Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts. The work, which depicts a scene of scholars cavorting—complete with drinking, snacking, music, reading and writing—shares much with Li’s own work, which often depicts the artist engaging in similar activities in a contemporary context.
Inspired by the Northern Qi Scholars, Li Jin has drawn out details of the classical work and exaggerated them in his new creation. As always, Li Jin himself takes center stage in his own painting—he has painted his self-portrait in place of several of the figures in the original composition. His project includes two long handscrolls and seven narrow hanging scrolls.
Section of handscroll A New Take on Scholars Collating Classic Texts, ink and color on paper, 2008
Section of handscroll A New Take on Scholars Collating Classic Texts, ink and color on paper, 2008
Traditionally attributed to Yan Liben (about 600-673), Northern Qi Scholars Collating Classic Texts, ink and color on silk, 11th century
Detail from A New Take on Scholars Collating Classic Texts
