“In the Forest,” crafted by Li Qun at the age of 69, became widely popular. The artwork features a squirrel, affectionately known as “Maogeli” (squirrel in chinese) in Li Qun’s hometown, which held a special place in his heart since childhood. Li Qun witnessed squirrels frolicking on a tree with all its leaves during a visit to Maiji Mountain in late autumn 1978, leaving a lasting impression. However, upon sketching the scene, his daughter remarked that it lacked cuteness, prompting Li Qun to revise and enhance facial expressions with moderate exaggerations, resulting in a more appealing depiction.
The revised piece gained approval and was carved in a single session. “In the Forest” debuted at the “Li Qun Woodcuts and Printmaking Exhibition” in March 1980, organized by the Shanxi Artists Association to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the left-wing cultural movement. It quickly became a crowd favorite and received praise at the founding ceremony of the China Woodcuts and Printmakers Association in Huangshan in April of the same year.
The artwork’s acclaim extended beyond China, as “In the Forest” found a place in the National Library of France’s collection in 1983 and was exhibited in six countries, including Tanzania and Ghana.