Li Hongbo

{{short description|Chinese artist (born 1974)}} {{Infobox artist | name = Li Hongbo {{nobold|{{lang|zh|李洪波}}}} | image = Li Hongbo portrait.JPG | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|1|7|df=y}} | birth_place = Jilin | death_date = | death_place = | known_for = | training = | movement = | notable_works = | patrons = | awards = }}

'''Li Hongbo''' ({{zh|c=李洪波 |p=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),<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.biennaleofsydney.com.au/about-us/history/2012-2/|title=18th Biennale of Sydney (2012)|accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2014}} and Klein Sun Gallery in New York (2013).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.kleinsungallery.com/exhibition/60/#!4128|title=Li Hongbo: Tools of Study |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref> Li's first solo exhibit in North America titled Tools of Study at Klein Sun Gallery, received worldwide attention.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://culturebox.francetvinfo.fr/les-sculptures-flexibles-de-li-hongbo-deconcertent-les-new-yorkais-148443|title=Les sculptures flexibles de Li Hongbo étonnent les New-Yorkais [Li Hongbo's flexible sculptures displayed in New York]|accessdate=2014-05-12|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trthaber.com/haber/kultur-sanat/sasirtan-esnek-heykeller-116243.html |title=Şaşırtan esnek heykeller [Startling flexible sculptures] |publisher=Trthaber.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-12|language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.cncnews.cn/news/v_show/38248__Chinese_contemporary_art_gets_popularity_in_NY.shtml |title=CNCNEWS - Chinese contemporary art gets popularity in NY |publisher=en.cncnews.cn |date=2014-01-23 |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nos.nl/video/601176-chinees-imponeert-met-papieren-sculpturen.html |title=Chinees imponeert met papieren sculpturen - NOS Nieuws |publisher=Nos.nl |date= |accessdate=2014-05-12|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2014/01/140123_video_esculturas_papel_chino_pea |title=Las sorprendentes esculturas cambiantes de papel - BBC Mundo - Noticias |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=1970-01-01 |access-date=2014-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=MonrifNet |url=http://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cultura/2014/01/26/1016380-david-scultura-carta-li-hongbo.shtml#1 |title=Scutura, il David di Michelangelo si muove. Le magie di carta di Hongbo - La Nazione - Firenze |publisher=Lanazione.it |date=2014-01-26 |accessdate=2014-05-12|language=it}}</ref>

He now lives and works in Beijing, China.<ref>{{cite news |title=Li Hongbo sticks to his paper guns in new Beijing expo |url=https://www.euronews.com/2017/06/16/li-hongbo-sticks-to-his-guns-in-new-beijing-expo |access-date=22 June 2024 |work=euronews |date=16 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="wsj"/>

== Works ==

Li Hongbo's works are characterized by their unique media- paper and glue.<ref name="wsj">{{cite web|last=Yuan |first=Elizabeth |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303802904579332740065458028 |title=Li Hongbo's 'Tools of Study' at Klein Sun Gallery in NYC - WSJ.com |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date=2014-01-20 |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2014/jan/23/chinese-artist-sculpts-stretchy-paper-carvings-video |title=Chinese sculptor stretches paper and imagination with his carvings – video | Art and design |publisher=theguardian.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jian |first=Jimmy |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/us-art-china-paper-idINBREA0M0FA20140123 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306095819/http://in.reuters.com/article/us-art-china-paper-idINBREA0M0FA20140123 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Li Hongbo's paper sculptures stretch the imagination |publisher=In.reuters.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-12}}</ref>

;Exhibition History

'''Solo Exhibitions''' 2014 "Tools of Study," Klein Sun Gallery, New York, NY<ref>[http://kleinsungallery.com/ Klein Sun Gallery, New York, NY]</ref> 2013 "Li Hongbo - Out of Paper," Kunstverein Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany 2012 “Self,” Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong 2012 “A Tree,” Mizuma & One Gallery, Beijing, China 2011 “The World – Li Hongbo New Works Exhibition,” Found Museum, Beijing, China; Modern Art Gallery, Taichung, Taiwan

;Selected Group Exhibitions

=== 2013 ===

* "Confronting Anitya,” Palazzo Michiel, Venice, Italy * “CODA Paper Art 2013,” CODA Museum, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands * “PaperWorks: The Art and Science of an Extraordinary Material,” Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA * “Hot Pot,” Brattleboro Museum, Brattleboro, VT * “Transformation – A Perspective of Contemporary Art,” 53 Art Museum, Guangzhou, China * “Freeze Frame Moments – 2013 Young Artist Invitational Exhibition,” Nen Art Museum, Guangzhou, China * “Insightful Charisma,” Shanghai Himalayas Museum, Shanghai, China * “Tan Wei Guan Zhi,” Wu Niu Visual and Packing Institute Visual Arts Museum, Chengdu, China

=== 2012 ===

* “Ctrl + N: Non-Linear Practice,” Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, South Korea * “Material àla Object,” Eli Klein Fine Art, New York, NY * “All our relations,” 18th Biennale of Sydney, Australia * “Research Exhibition on Post-70’s Generation Artists Jianghan Star Plan,” Wu Han Art Museum, Wu Han, China * “The Start of a Long Journey: The Collection of Excellent Graduate Works from The Central Academy of Fine Arts (2009 – 2011),” Art @ Golden Square, London, England * “1st Xinjiang Biennale,” Xinjiang International Exposition Centre, Ürümqi, Xinjiang, China

=== 2011 ===

* "Start from the Horizon: Chinese Contemporary Sculpture Since 1978," Sishang Art Museum, Beijing, China * “Material → Object,” EK Projects, Beijing, China * “Experimental Art,” Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China

=== 2010 ===

* “The Big Bang,” White Rabbit Foundation, Sydney, Australia * “Journey of a Thousand Miles,” Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China * “Object Energy,” Found Museum, Beijing, China * “Tien Kung Kai Wu,” Deshan Art Space, Beijing, China * “I’m on the Road to…,” Mizuma & One Gallery, Beijing, China

=== 2007 ===

* “The Desire for Material Welfare & No Wants,” Jin Du Art Center, Beijing, China * “Shared Time and Space,” K Space, Beijing, China

== Publications == * {{cite book |author=Li Hongbo |year=2014 |title=A Piece of Paper |location=Beijing |publisher=Cathay Bookshop Publishing House |language=Chinese, English |isbn=978-7-5149-0902-9 |oclc=899212075}} An exhibition catalog.

== References ==

== External links == * [http://kleinsungallery.com/ Klein Sun Gallery]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Hongbo}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Chinese sculptors Category:Artists from Jilin