The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, under the Ministry of Culture, and National Taiwan University of Arts jointly hosted the academic symposium on "Professor Li Qi-mao’s 100th Birthday and the Collection of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall" this morning (June 6) at the International Conference Hall, 10th floor of the Teaching and Research Building at National Taiwan University of Arts. Attendees included: Dr. Huang Guang-nan, former President and Honorary Professor of National Taiwan University of Arts, Professor Lin Yong-fa, Honorary Professor of National Taitung University, Professor Zhuang Lian-dong, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University, Professor Lin Jin-zhong, former Vice President of National Taiwan University of Arts, Professor Chen He-cheng, former Vice President and Honorary Professor of Taipei University of Marine Technology, Professor Shen Zhen of Yuan Ze University, Professor Cai Jie-teng, Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy at National Taiwan University of Arts, Professors Lin Jin-tao, Li Zong-ren, Chen Bing-hong, as well as Associate Professor Jiang Bo-xuan, Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy at Chang Jung Christian University, and others, who served as moderators and special discussants. The symposium also invited scholars from various universities in the field of arts to present papers and delve into the artistic aesthetics and educational influence of the late renowned ink painter Professor Li Qi-mao. The symposium explored multiple fields such as art studies, stylistics, the Memorial Hall’s collection, and Taiwan’s fine arts development, conducting in-depth analysis and presentations.
Director Wang Lan-sheng of the Memorial Hall specially emphasized that this year marks the 100th anniversary of Professor Li Qi-mao’s birth. Professor Li made many contributions to the establishment and collection of the Memorial Hall. Not only is there a deep connection between Professor Li’s artistic creation and the Memorial Hall, but his important position can be concretely witnessed in two aspects. Firstly, Professor Li is the best interpreter of the spirit of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Whether promoting the thought and ideals of Dr. Sun Yat-sen or integrating the spirit of universal love into his works, Professor Li demonstrated profound humanistic care and a sense of historical mission. Furthermore, early in the establishment of the Memorial Hall, Professor Li, together with many other renowned artists, worked on the grand painting *Taiwan Scenery*, which is still part of the Memorial Hall’s collection today, making it an extremely significant milestone in Taiwanese art history. Secondly, throughout his life, Professor Li dedicated himself to the promotion of art. Not only did he constantly create, often working late into the night, but he also worked with the Memorial Hall’s staff to visit remote rural areas, where he painted on-site and interacted with local communities, leaving behind numerous precious artworks and moving records that show his warm and approachable personality.
Director Wang further stated that this symposium, co-hosted with National Taiwan University of Arts, aims to honor Professor Li’s artistic achievements and educational contributions. It also allows for in-depth research on the works of Professor Li, which have been treasured by the Memorial Hall for many years, as well as on the artistic creations of many other famous artists. This initiative hopes to promote more diverse artistic dialogue and inheritance, which is of great significance for the future of Taiwanese art.
President Zhong Shi-kai of National Taiwan University of Arts welcomed the attending scholars and expressed his expectations for future cooperation opportunities with the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall to jointly enhance the energy of art research. Afterward, the symposium invited Dr. Huang Guang-nan, former President and Honorary Professor of National Taiwan University of Arts, to deliver a keynote speech on "Eastern Aesthetics in Li Qi-mao’s Conceptual Ink Painting," which profoundly guided the audience into Professor Li’s aesthetic world and appreciated the profoundness and grandeur of Eastern aesthetics through his innovative and traditional ink painting techniques.
The symposium invited six scholars to present their papers, including: Assistant Professor Lin Shu-fen of the Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, National Taiwan University of Arts, who discussed "Observing the Heavenly Horse: Li Qi-mao’s Ink Painting of Horses"; Assistant Researcher Huang Zong-wei of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, who spoke on "The Writing Artist: Discussing the Collaboration and Challenges between Institutions and Artists’ Descendants in the 'Li Qi-mao Centennial Exhibition'"; Lecturer Chen Fei-yi of the National Defense University’s College of Political Warfare, who examined "From the Military to Civilian Life: Li Qi-mao’s Art Education Experience and Taiwan’s Fine Arts Development"; Assistant Professor Tao Wen-yue of the Department of Arts and Design, National Taipei University of Education, who gave a detailed analysis of "Beyond the Elephant: Exploring Li Qi-mao’s Creative World"; Associate Professor Gong Shi-wen of the Department of Art and Design, Yuan Ze University, who conducted an in-depth study on "The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall’s Collection of Li Qi-mao’s Works"; and Ph.D. candidate Lu Qing-chen of the College of Fine Arts, National Taipei University of Arts, who discussed "The Contemporary Nature of Li Qi-mao’s Painting and Ink: The 2018 Exhibition in Malaysia as a Case Study."
The symposium concluded with a comprehensive discussion hosted by Professor Cai Jie-teng, Chair of the Department of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, National Taiwan University of Arts, with all the scholars participating in the closing session, marking the successful conclusion of the academic symposium.