99.7-99.10 1999

Li Huasheng made this artwork titled 99.7-99.10 using ink on paper. The painting’s systematic grid offers a visual metaphor for the ordered structures that define Chinese society. Li Huasheng, born in Sichuan province, was a leading figure in China’s modern art movement, which emerged during a period of economic reform and opening up to the world in the late 20th century. During this time, many artists began to explore new forms of expression that challenged traditional artistic conventions and social norms. Li’s work is influenced by Zen Buddhism, and it reflects a desire to find harmony and balance in a rapidly changing world. The repetitive, meditative nature of the grid pattern can be seen as a response to the fast-paced, often chaotic nature of modern life. To understand more, consider researching the history of Chinese art academies and the shifting relationship between art and state power. Art history helps us to see how this piece reflects China’s negotiation between tradition and modernity.