Li Qun created the woodcut “Picking Leaves” as a reflection of everyday life and the ordinary activities of common people. This artwork aimed to capture the simplicity and tranquility of rural life in China, depicting a woman engaged in the mundane task of picking leaves off a tree. Through this depiction, Li Qun sought to celebrate the beauty found in simple moments and to evoke a sense of nostalgia for traditional ways of life.
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,