Li Hongbo () is a Chinese artist born in Jilin in 1974. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Jilin Normal University in 1996, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Folk Art in 2001, MFA degree in Experimental Art in 2010, both from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Li Hongbo is best known for his lifelike paper sculptures, made entirely out of paper and glue. His work has been exhibited in museums around the world.
Li's works have been exhibited internationally. Most recently, his works were displayed at Ludwigsburg Museum in Germany (2013), the 18th Biennale of Sydney in Australia (2012), and Klein Sun Gallery in New York (2013). Li's first solo exhibit in North America titled Tools of Study at Klein Sun Gallery, received worldwide attention.
He now lives and works in Beijing, China.
Works
Li Hongbo's works are characterized by their unique media- paper and glue. Initially inspired by the idea of tradition and ubiquity that paper embodies, Li creates a hidden element of surprise in his paper sculptures that stretch in infinitely many ways. The static and emotionless state of the sculptures transform into unpredictable images, ultimately accentuating the difference between restriction and freedom.
Each bust comprises roughly 7,000 to 26,000 sheets of white paper stacked on top of each other. They are glued manually in a honeycomb structure, allowing the resulting sculptures complete flexibility and sturdiness.
Exhibition History
Solo Exhibitions<br> 2014 "Tools of Study," Klein Sun Gallery, New York, NY <br> 2013 "Li Hongbo - Out of Paper," Kunstverein Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany<br> 2012 âÂÂSelf,â Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong<br> 2012 âÂÂA Tree,â Mizuma & One Gallery, Beijing, China<br> 2011 âÂÂThe World â Li Hongbo New Works Exhibition,â Found Museum, Beijing, China; Modern Art Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan
Selected Group Exhibitions
2013
- "Confronting Anitya,â Palazzo Michiel, Venice, Italy
- âÂÂCODA Paper Art 2013,â CODA Museum, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
- âÂÂPaperWorks: The Art and Science of an Extraordinary Material,â Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
- âÂÂHot Pot,â Brattleboro Museum, Brattleboro, VT
- âÂÂTransformation â A Perspective of Contemporary Art,â 53 Art Museum, Guangzhou, China
- âÂÂFreeze Frame Moments â 2013 Young Artist Invitational Exhibition,â Nen Art Museum, Guangzhou, China
- âÂÂInsightful Charisma,â Shanghai Himalayas Museum, Shanghai, China
- âÂÂTan Wei Guan Zhi,â Wu Niu Visual and Packing Institute Visual Arts Museum, Chengdu, China
2012
- âÂÂCtrl + N: Non-Linear Practice,â Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea
- âÂÂMaterial àla Object,â Eli Klein Fine Art, New York, NY
- âÂÂAll our relations,â 18th Biennale of Sydney, Australia
- âÂÂResearch Exhibition on Post-70âÂÂs Generation Artists Jianghan Star Plan,â Wu Han Art Museum, Wu Han, China
- âÂÂThe Start of a Long Journey: The Collection of Excellent Graduate Works from The Central Academy of Fine Arts (2009 â 2011),â Art @ Golden Square, London, England
- âÂÂ1st Xinjiang Biennale,â Xinjiang International Exposition Centre, ÃÂrümqi, Xinjiang, China
2011
- "Start from the Horizon: Chinese Contemporary Sculpture Since 1978," Sishang Art Museum, Beijing, China
- âÂÂMaterial â Object,â EK Projects, Beijing, China
- âÂÂExperimental Art,â Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China
2010
- âÂÂThe Big Bang,â White Rabbit Foundation, Sydney, Australia
- âÂÂJourney of a Thousand Miles,â Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China
- âÂÂObject Energy,â Found Museum, Beijing, China
- âÂÂTien Kung Kai Wu,â Deshan Art Space, Beijing, China
- âÂÂIâÂÂm on the Road toâ¦,â Mizuma & One Gallery, Beijing, China
2007
- âÂÂThe Desire for Material Welfare & No Wants,â Jin Du Art Center, Beijing, China
- âÂÂShared Time and Space,â K Space, Beijing, China
Publications
References
External links