BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) According to Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao, he met with Singaporean florist Li Guoxiong for an interview at the Botanical Garden, and he led him to walk the rainforest trail in the garden, slowing down while talking and immersing himself in the embrace of nature. You can’t see gorgeous flowers in the tropical rain forest area, but there are some nameless trees and green leaves. Li Guoxiong explained the characteristics of various leaves with great interest, and then described the posture of these plants with rich imagination.
Born in Hong Kong, Li Guoxiong (53 years old) has been engaged in floral creativity for 18 years. He analyzed: "Florists are different from flower arrangers, who generally refer to people engaged in flower arranging industry. Florists specialize in building art with natural flowers and trees, examining the world from the high platform of art, and pursuing the unknown field from afar. Floriculture works are in the same position as visual arts such as sculpture, painting and photography. "
Take the place of Taitai in class and love floriculture.
A piece of rotten wood, several leaves and several budding buds, if we look closely at Li Guoxiong’s floral creation, we can really figure out the layers of meaning from it, just like a work of art waiting for you to appreciate it.
"I have a strong interest in art since I was a child, especially things related to Chinese culture. I like observing things. Although I like flowers and trees, I have never thought of engaging in floral creation. In 1990, our family immigrated from Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia. At that time, we planned to do business with our wife in the flower shop. My wife signed up for the Western Flower Arrangement Course at Sydney Institute of Technology, and just before the course started, I found that I was pregnant and felt unwell, so I crustily skin of head took the place of my wife.
"The first class was not very satisfactory, and I was in a hurry. Fortunately, after tempering, I made progress in my studies and built up my confidence. The love of flower arrangement was born under such accidental circumstances. "
The flower shop didn’t open in the end, but the flower arrangement course allowed Li Guoxiong to explore his potential talents.
Combine the essence of eastern and western floral art
Li Guoxiong’s teacher greatly appreciated his craft and invited him from many students to assist in the Christmas floral arrangement of Sydney Opera House, which greatly encouraged Li Guoxiong, who began to master floral skills. The teacher even encouraged him to take part in all kinds of floral creative competitions. Although he initially fell out of Sun Shan, after observing the winning works, he won the first and second prizes several times in the following competitions and became the Chang Shengjun of the Australian floral competition.
At the same time, Li Guoxiong’s interest and enthusiasm for flower arrangement extended to japanese ikebana, where he studied with Seiseki Umemura, a Japanese grass moon teacher, and also studied floral art and theory with Norman Sparnon, a famous Australian floral master, and obtained a license as a flower instructor.
"I combine the oriental flower pattern with the essence of western floral art, and my works are full of’ gentle wind’ and rhythm. This kind of creativity has won a good response in the floral industry in Australia and Britain. There are many kinds of flowers in Sydney, and there is no shortage of wonderful floral products, which has taught me a lot. " Li Guoxiong said it.
He once held a solo exhibition in the Japanese Association.
Li Guoxiong and his wife Yang Peiyi both graduated from the National Taiwan Province University. He majored in archaeology and anthropology, while his wife studied China literature. After graduation, the couple returned to Hong Kong to engage in education for several years. After immigrating to Australia, Li Guoxiong took a half-course in flower arrangement and completed a master’s degree in theology. In 2004, he came to Lion City with his family for missionary work, and his decision to settle in Singapore was closely related to his floral creation.
"In 2005, I held a personal floral photography exhibition at the Japanese Association through the recommendation of a Japanese lady, Kato Hui. I created these works in Sydney, and I felt that the life of floral products was short, so I preserved them with images. The response of the exhibition was very good. I am glad that the Japanese who came to watch it can accept the fresh combination of traditional flower patterns and western-style floral art. It is undoubtedly a great affirmation to know that both the East and the West agree with my creative style. "
The following year, Li Guoxiong published his own floral photography collection "Golden Wind". The wife beside shared: "Thanks to the efficiency of Singapore, we successfully published this floral album. From design to printing, the responsible company has demonstrated a superb level. We are very satisfied with the quality of the book and have a good impression on Singapore. In addition, Singapore’s multicultural and comfortable living environment are the reasons for choosing to stay. "
It is worth mentioning that "Golden Wind" won the gold medal in the authoritative international publication exhibition, which was highly appreciated and recommended by major international flower fairs.
Take local materials in the lion city
How has Li Guoxiong’s creation changed since he settled in the Lion City?
"Australia has four distinct seasons, and the vast natural environment has a great influence on my creation. Coming to tropical Singapore, it is not easy to choose flowers because of the small space, so it is a new test to create in a limited environment. I have a soft spot for Nanyang store house culture, and I created a floral product with the theme of Chan Museum in Nilu.
"This is a beautiful blue house, which creates the atmosphere of the old building through floral art.. Blue utensils symbolize the house, the gaps in palm leaves represent the shutters of the house, and orchids are unique to Singapore. "
Li Guoxiong is an artist who understands life because of his meticulous observation of things and delicate mind, and drawing materials from trivial matters or chores around him. He said that the first house he lived in the island was the Longmen Mansion on Wuyuan Road in Spottish, and there was a vast jungle opposite his home. He spent a long time there meditating and looking for new creative materials.
He gradually realized that the leaves in Singapore were actually full of beauty, just like palm trees that he had never seen in other cities. "Floriculture creation doesn’t have to be dominated by flowers. There are layers of leaves, not full of green leaves. I occasionally put a few dead leaves into my works to express the normality of life. This is the creative concept I call’ winning in defeat’. "
Give full play to Nanyang characteristic culture
Li Guoxiong’s family of four has the right of permanent resident in Singapore. His wife is a Chinese teacher in an international school. Their two children, aged 18 and 14, are studying in an international school where his wife teaches.
Having lived in Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney and Lion City, Li Guoxiong believes that the greatest feature of Singapore stems from the diversity and integration atmosphere of the four major races. He believes that the island countries have made progress in promoting the development of culture and art in recent years; In addition, Singapore is located in an important hub and is adjacent to many Southeast Asian countries, so it should influence each other, absorb and integrate, and give play to the unique artistic culture of Southeast Asia. (Mai made a special trip)