≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒
The opening ceremony of the exhibition "No Smooth Path to The Summit – The Exhibition of Works Donated by Li Xingjian" and the artwork donation ceremony were held on April 1, 2026, at the Academic Lecture Hall of the CAFA Art Museum. This donation project has been selected into the "2025 National Art Collection and Donation Award Program" by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. As the Central Academy of Fine Arts celebrates its 108th anniversary, the century-old heritage of this prestigious institution and the lifelong artistic achievements of its devoted alumnus converge at this moment into a warm and touching picture of artistic inheritance.
≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒ ≒
This donation project features an extensive collection, including more than 260 traditional Chinese paintings and over 3,000 sketches by Mr. Li Xingjian, making it the largest acquisition project of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in the past decade. Thousands of works are not only the artist’s most sincere tribute to his alma mater, but also a vivid visual diary documenting the complete journey of this CAFA graduate: from a young student to an outstanding educator and distinguished artist. What is particularly moving is that Mr. Li Xingjian donated all his award funds back to the academy to establish the Li Xingjian Sketching Award. His pure spirit of “taking from art, giving back to education” is deeply inspiring, and his legacy will surely illuminate the artistic path of generations of students to come.
Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included: Senior artists of CAFA: Cao Chunsheng, Lou Jiaben, Wen Guozhang, Sun Jingbo, Zhang Jiping, Cui Xiaodong, Wang Shujie; Yu Yang, Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts; Li Geng, President of Li Keran Academy of Painting, and Wang Haikun, Executive Vice President; Huang Huasan, Professor, School of Arts, Renmin University of China; Du Yicai, Secretary of the Directly Affiliated Party Branch, School of Chinese Painting, CAFA;
Wang Xiuling, Deputy Secretary; Xu Hai, Dean of the School of Calligraphy, CAFA; Li Ming, Deputy Secretary of its Directly Affiliated Party Branch; Yu Yue, Teacher; Wang Lei, Director of the Retirees Affairs Office; Zhou Yue, Secretary-General of the CAFA Education Development Foundation; Jin Jun, Director of CAFA Art Museum; Han Wenchao, Secretary of the Directly Affiliated Party Branch of CAFA Art Museum; Hai Jun and Gao Gao, Deputy Directors of CAFA Art Museum; as well as leaders, faculty and students from various schools, departments and administrative divisions of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Yu Yang, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee and Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, delivered an address
Yu Yang, Vice President of CAFA, stated that the opening of the exhibition "No Smooth Path to The Summit – The Exhibition of Works Donated by Li Xingjian" carries special significance as CAFA celebrates its 108th anniversary. Since its founding in 1918, the Central Academy of Fine Arts has upheld its motto "Seek Refinement in Detail, Reach Grandeur in Vision", remained committed to fostering virtue through education, and cultivated generations of outstanding art talents with profound artistic accomplishments and deep patriotism, composing a magnificent chapter in modern Chinese art and art education. Mr. Li Xingjian has been closely connected with CAFA for more than 60 years. Grounded in diligence and persistent study and guided by the spirit of sketching from life, he traveled across China’s famous mountains and great rivers and around the world, integrating traditional Chinese landscape brush and ink with contemporary aesthetics. In his artistic exploration of "borrowing scenery, depicting scenery, and creating scenery", he achieved a sublimation from "physical form" to "mental image", forming a unique artistic language characterized by "small scene yet vast realm, concise form yet profound meaning". Throughout his teaching career, Mr. Li has stayed at the forefront of education, devoting himself to nurturing students and imparting his knowledge wholeheartedly, embodying the mission and responsibility of a CAFA educator. This exhibition not only showcases his artistic achievements but also carries forward his spirit of pursuit, dedication to education, and patriotism embodied in "No Smooth Path to The Summit".
Address by Jin Jun, Director of CAFA Art Museum
Jin Jun, Director of the CAFA Art Museum, stated that the CAFA Art Museum serves as a platform for disseminating the century-old academic spirit, as well as a center for collecting and preserving classic artworks and teaching achievements. For many years, it has been committed to building a comprehensive collection system of masterpieces and representative artists based on the century-long history of CAFA. The exhibition is inaugurated on the anniversary day for two purposes: first, to express sincere respect to Mr. Li Xingjian; second, to carry forward spiritual inheritance, bringing his art into dialogue with young students and realizing the intergenerational continuation of the academy’s tradition and academic spirit. Featuring more than 300 works carefully selected from over 260 representative paintings and more than 3,000 sketches donated by Mr. Li, the exhibition is curated in accordance with the trajectory of his artistic exploration. Such a large-scale and complete donation is rare in the history of the museum. Mr. Li Xingjian’s artistic career, creative practice and donation act perfectly embody the ideal of “Nurturing numerous students with great love, creating timeless masterpieces with supreme art”. His artistic spirit deserves continuous research and promotion. The museum will properly preserve and inherit these works, giving full play to their important role in continuing the cultural context of China.
Address by Li Geng, Representative of Li Keran’s Family and President of Li Keran Academy of Painting
In his speech, Li Geng, Representative of Li Keran’s Family and President of Li Keran Academy of Painting, recalled that in his youth he had received careful guidance from both Zhou Sicong and Li Xingjian. Mr. Li Xingjian, who taught him sketching and drawing for a long time, was his important mentor. He spoke of the unwavering faith in art upheld by his father Li Keran and Mr. Li Xingjian during extraordinary historical periods. He noted that the mission of an artist is to uphold his original aspiration through the brush. Only by persistent devotion can one reach the summit of art — just as the motto “No Smooth Path to The Summit” bestowed by his father upon CAFA.
Address by Yu Yue, Student Representative and Teacher at the School of Calligraphy, Central Academy of Fine Arts
In his speech, Yu Yue, student representative and teacher at the School of Calligraphy, CAFA, reviewed his own study experience and expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Li Xingjian for guiding him onto the path of art, leaving him many precious memories. When teaching landscape painting from life, Mr. Li led the students to sketch in western Hunan and Mount Hengshan. He imparted the essence of the “Li School Landscape”: capturing the soul of nature and practicing the principle of “selecting one subject, refining it tenfold”. His teaching was concise and incisive, his demonstrations exquisite, and his guidance on students’ works meticulous, enabling them to gain sudden insight. Outside class, Mr. Li’s elegant, modest, sincere and romantic character made the students deeply understand that moral integrity is the foundation of academic pursuit. The Li Xingjian Sketching Award established by Mr. Li represents not only his expectations for young students but also embodies the mission of inheriting CAFA’s teaching system and passing the artistic torch from generation to generation.
Address by Huang Huasan, Family Representative and Professor, School of Arts, Renmin University of China
Huang Huasan, family representative and Professor at the School of Arts, Renmin University of China, delivered a speech on behalf of Mr. Li Xingjian and conveyed his sincere gratitude. The donation project, which took four years to complete, has finally come to a successful conclusion, fulfilling Mr. Li Xingjian’s long-cherished wish and bringing him deep warmth and satisfaction.
He also conveyed Mr. Li’s message to young students: I hope you will remain committed to being diligent learners, temper your skills and pursue artistic excellence with the faith that “No Smooth Path to The Summit”; at the same time, inherit the Chinese painting tradition of CAFA, uphold the original aspiration of “creating Chinese paintings and art for the people”, and live up to the times and to the art of painting.
Li Yaochen, Deputy Secretary of the Directly Affiliated Party Branch of CAFA Art Museum, served as the host
In 2025, Mr. Li Xingjian sorted and selected his artworks, and generously donated his representative works throughout his life to the museum to enrich teaching resources at CAFA. The donation includes more than 260 works and over 3,000 sketches, covering every stage of his artistic exploration over more than 60 years since his university studies. Mr. Li Xingjian’s dedication and commitment to artistic inheritance are deeply touching and inspiring.
Han Wenchao, Secretary of the Directly Affiliated Party Branch of CAFA Art Museum, presented the Artwork Donation Certificate
to Mr. Huang Huasan, representative of Mr. Li Xingjian’s family
Mr. Li Xingjian also donated 300,000 RMB in prize money to the CAFA Education Development Foundation to establish the “Li Xingjian Sketching Award”. His selfless spirit of “taking from art, giving back to education” is deeply moving, and his legacy will surely illuminate the artistic path of generations of students.
Zhou Yue, Director of the Office of the CAFA Education Development Foundation, presented the Donation
Certificate to Professor Huang Huasan, representative of Mr. Li Xingjian’s family
This exhibition features selected major works by Li Xingjian from his student years in the 1960s to his overseas residence in the early 21st century. With a long time span and a large number of works, it comprehensively presents Mr. Li Xingjian’s artistic vision and style. It is hoped that visitors may understand how an artist develops his approach through repeated practice, establishes a style through inheritance and innovation, and ultimately transforms personal creative experience into researchable, discussable and inheritable academic achievements.
The exhibition is structured around two major sections: The Path of Artistic Refinement and Painstaking Study through Sketching. The former focuses on his journey of inheritance and innovation from "borrowing scenery" and "depicting scenery" to "creating scenery"; the latter showcases his extensive sketches and quick drawings, reflecting his persistent creative spirit and fruitful achievements. Mr. Li Xingjian specialized in landscape painting and was a disciple of Mr. Li Keran. He was one of the important practitioners and inheritors of the landscape painting teaching system at the Central Academy of Fine Arts founded by Li Keran. His landscape works not only inherit the aesthetic characteristics of Li School landscape—dark, full, forceful, and rough-textured—but also integrate his unique insights into nature, forming a personal style marked by vigor, richness, grandeur, and profound artistic conception. The landscapes he depicts are small in composition yet vast in realm, concise in imagery yet far-reaching in meaning. With layered mountains and luxuriant ink washes, they present the magnificence and vastness of nature through shifting light and shadow. Throughout his life, he abided by his mentor’s teachings: "Do not rely on talent, do not seek hasty advancement, learn through hardship, and be a painstaking scholar." He maintained a devout attitude toward art, as well as a spirit of diligent research and innovation that feared no difficulties. His artistic footsteps spanned the mountains and rivers of China and many parts of the world.
A key highlight of this exhibition is the special section “Painstaking Study through Sketching”, which presents Mr. Li Xingjian’s sketchworks accumulated over decades. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “Search all wondrous peaks to make drafts” — a maxim perfectly embodied by Mr. Li. His sketches are not merely the collection of visual materials, but a constant refinement of perception, skill, and artistic sensibility. From fishing boats and ferries along the Li River, to the majestic perilous gorges of the Three Gorges, from daily scenes in foreign streets to vibrant construction sites, every line he drew reflects profound observation of reality and nature.
“No Smooth Path to The Summit”刻印
Mr. Li Xingjian once carved a large seal inscribed with “No Smooth Path to The Summit”, with the side inscription reading: “Carved in reverence of Master Keran’s words for self-encouragement — Xingjian”. By adopting his mentor’s motto as his own, he made it a true reflection of his artistic spirit. This exhibition is not only a comprehensive review and retrospective of Mr. Li Xingjian’s artistic achievements, but also a high tribute from the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts to this outstanding alumnus for his selfless dedication. Through the precious paintings and numerous sketch manuscripts on display, viewers are invited to enter his simple yet grand artistic world, and to understand the truth: only by rooting in life, delving deep into tradition, and daring to innovate can one keep climbing toward the summit of art.
The exhibition runs until April 19, 2026.
Selected Works
"Sorghum Is Red" by Li Xingjian, 1963, color on paper, 48×47.5 cm, Collection of CAFA Art Museum
"Pavilions Hidden in Misty Rain" by Li Xingjian, 1981, color on paper, 98×60 cm, collected by CAFA Art Museum
South and North of the Cottage Are All Spring Waters (No. 2) , Li Xingjian, 1984, color on paper, 83 × 50.5 cm, collected by CAFA Art Museum
Rain Encountered at the Old Cave of Mount Emei, Li Xingjian, 1988, color on paper, 68×68 cm, collected by CAFA Art Museum
Small Street Leading to Sacré‑Cœur from Montmartre, Li Xingjian, 1997Color on paper68.5 × 102 cm, Collection of CAFA Art Museum
Pond SceneLi Xingjian, 1962, Ink pen on paper15 × 21 cm, Collection of CAFA Art Museum
Pedestrians on the Bridge, Li Xingjian, 1977Ink pen on paper19.2 × 26.5 cmCollection of the CAFA Art Museum
The Joyful Old Farmer, Li Xingjian, 1972Pencil on paper26 × 19 cmCollection of CAFA Art Museum
Tall Standing Drilling Rigs, Li Xingjian1970sPencil on paper31.6 × 25.8 cmCollection of CAFA Art Museum
Château d'Estaing (Western Europe) Li Xingjian, 1988Ink pen on paper13 × 21 cmCollection of CAFA Art Museum
Artist Profile
Li Xingjian
Li Xingjian was born in Wuhan, Hubei Province in 1937. He is a renowned contemporary Chinese landscape painter and art educator. He was admitted to the Affiliated High School of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 1954, and pursued advanced studies at the Department of Chinese Painting, Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1958. He studied under Li Keran, specializing in ink landscape painting, and stayed to teach at the academy after graduation in 1963. He once served as a professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, director of the Landscape Painting Studio of the Department of Chinese Painting, postgraduate supervisor, member of the Chinese Artists Association, and executive director of the Li Keran Art Foundation.
His creations are based on sketching, with a simple and natural style. While inheriting Li Keran's majestic and profound style, he integrates a fresh and bright contemporary spirit, forming a unique artistic language. His representative works include Autumn Red Season, Spring Rain over the River City, The Great River Flows East, Boats Departing at Dawn and others. He participated in the creation of the monumental Chinese painting Splendid China for the first anniversary celebration of Hong Kong's return to China in 1998.
He has held numerous solo exhibitions across China and around the world. Many of his works are collected by major art museums and museums at home and abroad, including the National Art Museum of China, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA, and the Fukuyama Museum of Art, Japan. Five personal painting collections have been published, including Li Xingjian Landscape Paintings and Li Xingjian Paintings.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism"2025 National Art Collection and Donation Award Project"
No Level Paths on High Peaks
—Donation Exhibition of Li Xingjian
Exhibition Dates:
March 28 – April 19, 2026
Venue:
Gallery A (3rd Floor), Galleries (4th Floor)
CAFA Art Museum
Organizer:
CAFA Art Museum
Supporting Institutions:
School of Chinese Painting, CAFA
School of Calligraphy, CAFA
Academic Director:
Yu Yang
Exhibition Directors:
Jin Jun, Qiu Ting, Xu Hai, Han Wenchao
Exhibition Coordinator:
Gao Gao, Hai Jun
Academic Advisors:
Huang Huasan, Liu Rong, Yu Yue
Curators:
Li Yaochen, Li Jie
Design Director:
Ji Yujie
Design Associate:
Min Zhiyi
Curatorial Assistants:
Chen Tianyi, Li Ze, Zha Yirui
Exhibition Management:
Wu Peng, Su Shicun, Jing Peng, Lü Zhifa
Collection Management:
Li Yaochen, Xu Yan, Jiang Nan, Wang Chunling, Ma Liang, Cui Ranran, Dou Tianwei, Li Wei
Media & Publicity:
He Yisha, Wu Jing, He Yifei, Du Yinzhu, Ding Yi, Guo Hongmei
Public Education:
Xiao Baozhen, Geng Jinghua, Wang Jun, Yao Yiqun, Liang Wen, Xi Huawei, Cai Meng
Finance Affairs:
Yang Liu, Men Jing
Development & Promotion:
Sun Wei, Yi Yi, Jin Jianru, Kou Lei, Liu Xingling
Administrative Support:
Jiang Siyu, Yue Junyao, Zhang Qian, Guo Xu, Chen Xiaohua
Video Production:
Du Xiaocheng
Seal Rubbings:
Wang Xiaochen, Lin Zhuoyang, Dong Xuanning, Li Jiameng, Zhang Enyuan, Liu Yizhao, Wang Qiushi, Xie Yanchen, Cui Zihui, Lin Han, Zhang Qirui, Guo Zihao, Liu Jinming, Su Haoming, Chen Zeye, Fan Lin, Duan Shuo, Zhao Boyang, Wu Mengze, Xue Yutong, Sun Guanming, Li Boya, Sun Yixuan, Chen Yuming, Zhang Yifan, Ren Jinhong
Special Thanks to:
Li Yuhua, Wang Tongren, Jiang Baolin, Wang Yong, Cui Xiaodong, Zhou Hongbing, Wang Wei, Gao Yi, Wang Geng
Editor-in-Chief / He Yisha
Editor / Du Yinzhu
On-site Photographs / He Yifei
