The Art of He Qi

Artist to Speak on Jan. 17; Artwork on Display from Jan. 6 to March 2

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Frankfort, Ind., will be hosting the work of He Qi, a Chinese artist whose distinctive style blends traditional Chinese materials and methods with unique interpretations of classic Christian scenes. “

The artwork will be on display in the church’s gallery space at 2029 S. State Rd. 39, Frankfort, Ind., from Jan. 6 – March 2, and He Qi will be present at the same location to speak about his life and work on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at 7 p.m. A brief reception for the artist will be held immediately following his talk, both of which are free and open to the public.

Please contact St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at office@stpauls39.org or visit St. Paul’s facebook page for specific exhibit hours or more information about this event.

Coming of age during the Cultural Revolution in 1970s China, He Qi learned to paint by copying portraits of Chairman Mao. At that time, he also encountered a copy of Raphael’s “Madonna and Child” printed in a magazine. The image caught his attention, and he soon began copying it, as well, but did so in secret.

Such diversity of influences remains evident in his work. Dr. Richard Melheim, “It’s Chagall meets Matisse meets Picasso meets the East.”

Currently residing in Minnesota, He Qi studied at Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing Art Institute in China, and Hamburg Art Institute in Germany. He was the first person from mainland China to earn a Ph.D. in religious art after the Cultural Revolution, and currently serves as a guest professor at Drew University.

He’s artwork has been on display throughout Europe, Asia, and North America; it has also been featured in a variety of publications, including Christianity Today and The Washington Post.

The exhibit will be open to the public during gallery hours; admission is free, but donations to St. Paul’s Art of the Passion are welcome. Posters of He Qi’s work, along with his new artbook, will be available for purchase.

 

For more information, contact office@stpauls39.org