Li Xianting

Li Xianting (Ch Lì Xianting栗 宪 庭; * December 22, 1949, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China) is one of the most important and influential Chinese art critics of the 1980s and 1990s. Always for pluralism and artistic individualism, he shaped the modern art scene, especially in Beijing, mainly with.

Life and meaning

After graduating from the Department of Chinese Painting of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1978, he worked as chief editor of the two most influential journals for art in China operates between 1979 and 1983 at the prestigious Fine Art Magazine (美术Meishu ), as well as 1985-1989 in China Fine Art Newspaper (中国 美术 报, Zhōngguó Měishùbào ), one of the most progressive art journals of China at that time.

In numerous articles he made at this time especially for the famous Mach drying latest trends and artists strong, to some of the scene 's defining figures should be later. This includes, among other things, Fang Lijun, whose art is classified under the coined by Li Xianting concept of Cynical Realism. In addition, he also had a leading role in the organization and implementation of important exhibitions such as China / Avant- Garde (中国 现代 艺术 展, Zhōngguó Dangdai Yishu Zhǎn; February 1989 [ Beijing ], National Gallery ).

Since the 1990s, Li Xianting worked more often as an independent critic and curator and is dedicated in recent years, the promotion of independent film in China.