Author:Taiwan New Century Cultural and Arts Association.Li Qi-Mao

Size:Length:151 x Width:319 (cm)

Size description：121×251 (畫心)

Introduction：This artwork was created by artists from the Taiwan New Century Cultural and Arts Association, with the inscription penned by Li Chi-Mao.

The association, established in 2000 by Chiu Min-Hua and several ink artists, focuses on promoting contemporary ink art in Taiwan.

Chiu Min-Hua, the current chairperson of the association, is known for her ability to intertwine literature with nature in her art. Her poetic sensibility allows her to infuse emotions into her paintings, resulting in compositions that are both intimate and richly textured, offering unique perspectives and intricate landscapes.

Li Chi-Mao (1925-2019), born in Anhui Province, China, experienced the turbulence of wartime in his early years. To make a living, he joined the military. In 1949, he relocated to Taiwan with the Nationalist Government and studied at the Art Department of the Political Warfare Cadres School (now the Department of Applied Arts at National Defense University, Fuxinggang Campus). Under the mentorship of Liang Ding-Ming, Liang Chung-Ming, and Liang Yu-Ming, his early works exhibited a combative literary style, marking him as a representative figure of the first generation of post-war ink painters in Taiwan. Over time, he transcended traditional frameworks, exploring a wide range of subjects from historical figures to everyday life in Taiwan, employing diverse and rich techniques. Since his first solo exhibition at Chungshan Hall in 1950, Li Chi-Mao received numerous accolades, including the National Art Special Award, the Ministry of Culture’s New Art Golden Statue Award for Special Contributions in Art, and the Cultural Contribution Award from the National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. His works are housed in art museums across Taiwan, Malaysia, Shantung, and Guangdong. Li emphasized connecting the spirit of Taiwanese art with art history, often expressing that “tomorrow’s creations will be better,” embodying an attitude akin to Chi Pai-Shih’s philosophy that “everything seen is mine to own.”

This artwork centers on common Taiwanese fruits, overflowing from a basket and scattered irregularly across the canvas, creating an image of abundance and beauty. The pristine background deviates from typical still-life compositions, accentuating the vibrant colors of the foreground fruits. The arrangement is inventive—some fruits stand, lie down, topple over, or are sliced open—displaying a variety of forms and postures, as if awaiting to be savored. Titled “Sweetness in the Heart,” the depicted fruits appear luscious and inviting, evoking a sense of joy and allure that resonates deeply with the viewer.

Accession Number:PT09300200

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