The woodcut print “Columbine Echoes Along the Yellow River Banks” by Li Qun in 1962 depicts a scene along the Yellow River with two cyclists in the foreground and two farmers plowing fields in the far background, interspersed with trees. It captures the harmony between human activity and nature in the region, celebrating both modern transportation and traditional agricultural practices. The title suggests a sense of nostalgia or cultural resonance with the area’s history. Overall, the artwork celebrates the landscape, human activity, and cultural richness along the Yellow River, highlighting the interplay between tradition and modernity.
Childhood 1912-1930
A village childhood Li Qun’s roots trace back to a quaint mountain village, an enclave characterised by a mere six courtyards and ten households in its nascent years. This hamlet, situated in Lingshi County, Shanxi Province, earned its identity as Hao Jia Zhang. Positioned to the east of Fenhe River,