Hong Li

Hong Li, born in Beijing in 1959, graduated from CAFA (Central Academy of Fine Art) in 1984, specializing in woodblock printing. In 1987, she migrated to Australia and pursued further studies at COFA (College of Fine Art), which is now known as the University of New South Wales. In 2007, Hong Li obtained a Masters of Fine Art Degree from the Sydney College of Art.
Her artwork has been exhibited extensively across Australia, including major exhibitions in Beijing and Tibet, China, as well as the Sasaran Arts Festival in Malaysia. Additionally, Hong Li has participated in exhibitions in Hungary and the USA, showcasing her talent on an international stage. Her exceptional work has garnered recognition, and her pieces are held in significant collections in both Australia and China.

In these paintings, Hong Li ‘s concepts have been stimulated by nature and the landscape. The simplified forms and ’almost’ carved shapes seem to be reminiscent of contours gouged  in a wood block. This thickly applied paint creates a surface of rippling marks, catching the light, offering an independent pulsating movement of shadow and reflection. The paint is applied with deep ridges which reaffirms the structure, a complex intersecting and overlapping configuration that offers an oblique allusion to imagery.

Using the harmonious colours of nature, Hong Li intends to portray a emblematic representation of spring,  reminiscent of the dappled light on leaves and the wind in the air  as “a celebration of the continuous cycle of life and death”.   With the obvious muse of nature,  these paintings resonate with the deep shadows and dancing lights created in bushland; forms are simplified and stylized yet speak eloquently of the light cutting across one’s path while bush walking. As part of the uncompromising resilience of the seasons, the artist sees spring as “a symbol of faith and hope”.

Hong Li, Spring is in the Air, 2023, oil on canvas, 180 × 120cm

Solo Exhibitions

2017 Staggered Impressions, Concrete Hole Gallery Beijing.

2016 This Moment, Janet Clayton Gallery, Paddington, NSW.

2016 LEAP, Zheng Jiang City Art Centre.

2015 People’s Presence, OzAsia Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre.

2015 Evolution, Janet Clayton Gallery, Paddington, NSW.

2014 Spring, Janet Clayton Gallery, Dank St Alexandria NSW

2011 Traversing Gou Rex-Livingston Art Dealer, Surry Hills, NSW

2010 Traversing, Today Art Museum, Beijing

2009 Wind Change, Immersion Therapy Art space, Melbourne

2009 Mind Speak, Beijing Hua Cai Gallery

Group Exhibitions

2023 Prints4Ukraine, CBD Gallery Sydney

2023 All Fresh (Australia Chinese Outstanding Artists). Art Space 541 Sydney

2022 One leaf knows Spring and Autumn, China Cultural Centre Sydney

2021 Air Water Love, China Cultural Centre Sydney

2020 Whose Story is this?...anway! China Cultural Centre Sydney

2020 Australian Asian Art, EJ Ward Community Centre Paddington Sydney

2019 the selfie, tenfortyseven Mascot Sydney

2018 Centennial of Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Cultural Centre Sydney

2018 Transcendence, Living in Art Gallery and Art Atrium

2018 Chines & Australian Contemporary Art, Enjoy Art Museum 798 Beijing

2018 Walk with Art 2, China Cultural Centre Chatswood

2017 Integration - Exchange, China Cultural Centre Sydney

2017 Beijing Art Fair, Art Beijing

2016 Fujian Art Museum

2016 Walk with Art 1, Downing Centre Sydney

2016 The First Australian National Lunar New Year Exhibition for Profound Chinese-Australian Artists,

204 Art Space Melbourne

2015 Ding Guanjia – Li Hong joint exhibition, Ink on paper, mixed media. Colorado State University Art

Gallery Pueblo

2014 TRANSFORMING, Meijang Art Centre

2014 In Silence, Sydney Town Hall

2014 Sasaran International Art Festival Malaysia

2013 Representative, Global Chinese Artists exhibition, Tibet, hosted by Chinese Government

2012 From Paper, Janet Clayton Gallery at Beijing Art Space

2011 Doggie Dogma, Third Asian Art Expo, Beijing

2010 Comings and Goings, China Link Gallery, Redfern NSW

2009 Portraits, Art Attrium,181 Old South Head Rd, Bondi Junction NSW 2022

2009 Coming Home, Linda Gallery - 798 Art District, Dashenzi, Beijing

2008 Member exhibition, 4a Asia-Australia Arts Centre, Sydney

2008 From Mao to Now, Newington Armory Gallery, Sydney Olympic Park

2008 Food Water Shelter, University of Sydney College of Fine Art, Rozelle

2007 Graduation Exhibition, University of Sydney College of Fine Art, Rozelle

2007 About a Woman, Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street Darlinghurst, Sydney