After 1944, Yan’an hosted model worker conferences and cultural gatherings. Faculty and students from “Lu Yi” were mobilised to create paintings featuring heroic figures for these events. Li Qun actively participated in painting and organising exhibitions. “Helping People Repair Spinning Wheels,” originating from one of his comic strips, depicts cultural hero Tao Duanyu, a teacher at Yangjialing Primary School, highlighting his commitment to serving the people. The piece also celebrates rural women and the new life emerging in liberated areas.
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,