Li Guijun

signed in Chinese and dated 1999; titled and dated 1999 on the reverse; Schoeni Art Gallery label affixed to the reverse

Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong
Important Private European Collection

Li Gui Jun Age of Dream, Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong 1999, p. 37, illustrated in colour
Li Gui Jun Paintings from 1993 – 2002, Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 78, illustrated in colour

This work is in very good condition overall. There is light wear along the edges of the painting. There is no evidence of restoration under UV.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Chinese realist painter Li Guijun is skilful in depicting girls living in the city. In A Day in May, two seated and standing girls are facing different ways. The artist deftly captures the gilrs' facial expressions. Their long and slim bodies and pretty faces create a peaceful and tranquil air to this painting. At the lower left corner, the artist paints a cat stretching itself which also brings a whimsical and dreamy atmosphere to the composition.

Li once said that what he tries to convey to the viewer in his art is profound happiness. He believes that people can only show their true selves when they detach from society, which explains why Li's chief interest is in painting figures indoors. With his classical Realism technique and the Chinese aesthetics in his works, Li successfully represents the beauty of peacefulness and elegance on his canvas. He said:

"I love the perfection, depth and profundity in classical works, and admire the painstaking attention to detail the great masters exhibition in their works. I strive to adopt a similar approach to my own works, laden them with feeling and my own experience of life."

Li's art, which is imbued with his feeling and thinking, has taken Chinese realist paintings to another level.