In 1978, Li Qun was invited to conduct lectures and provide guidance in woodcuts and printmaking training classes in Ili, Xinjiang. Utilising this opportunity, he collected ideas and produced numerous sketches and woodcut drafts. Among these, crafted in 1980, is the colour-blocked woodcut titled “A New Trend in Sight.” This artwork depicts two Uyghur girls surveying and mapping on the rooftop of a house, signalling a new planning and design initiative underway, symbolising the anticipated construction of a new city.
During the early stages of China’s reform and opening up period, there was a prevailing sense of optimism and hope for change throughout society. The vibrant portrayal of potential prosperity in “A New Trend in Sight” resonated with this collective yearning for a better future, reflecting the societal aspirations of the time.