Cloudy Peaks at Dawn in Spring

In this early spring scene, the artist attempts to capture some of the essence of the monumental Northern Song landscapes from a thousand years ago. Imposing in size and scale, such paintings have often been seen as the pinnacle of Chinese landscape art. Besides the inspiration from early masters, Li Huayi’s signature style is also the result of his careful consideration of many periods and techniques, both Chinese and Western. Even though he uses compositional elements and brushstrokes in a traditional manner, his paintings are contemporary in spirit, offering a peaceful visual retreat from a chaotic modern world. Li says, “I want myself inside, not outside, the landscape . . . embraced by these mountains where I can breathe the mountain air and touch the trees.”