Exhibition Introduction
Mr. LI Hongbo does not resemble those contemporary artists with flowing long hair and an imposing stride; he is modest and unassuming. Yet whenever he presents his work, it is something we all anticipate.
There is no grand critique—only a quiet reflection on the inevitabilities of human existence. In contemporary art, the integration of perception and action is difficult, and even harder to articulate with precision; yet LI Hongbo transforms established modes of cognition and thought through his work—like ripples spreading across the mind.
Drawing from a childhood honeycomb paper toy, LI Hongbo layers and bonds tens of thousands of sheets, extending them into new possibilities. Through installation and sculpture, he constructs a contemporary language imbued with Eastern sensibilities. Whether in plaster-like sculptures, large-scale floral installations, or Gaokao, made from ten tons of discarded textbooks, his works appear ordinary, yet resonate with striking force.
The flourishing of contemporary art reflects a land’s openness to new ideas; when rooted in tradition, it becomes an expression of cultural dignity. With a quiet sense of delight, Tsing Hua upholds an intellectual openness, remaining grounded in culture while embracing the world.
This exhibition is both light and weighty. We are grateful for Mr. LI Hongbo’s support from afar. Each “stone” is not accidental, but the result of sustained reflection and reconstruction. Years of labor are ordinary for an artist; just as art may seem useless, it is precisely where the Usefulness of Uselessness is found.
