An exhibition of Li Zijian’s sketch works and oil paintings on Morocco in North Africa opened at the Li Zijian Art Museum on December 19. The 32 character sketches, 77 oil paintings, and graphic travel notes on display were created by the painter when he was stranded in Morocco for 158 days due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Li Zijian is engaged in his creation in Morocco.

Li Zijian had never thought that his 6-day overseas trip would extend for 6 months when he started holiday on January 25, 2020.

On February 1, after he toured Maldives and Jordan, he could not get back home due to the domestic outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. He took a random decision to go to Morocco in North Africa.

With the help of a local driver, he drove to tour the country and drew inspirations from local people and landscapes.

Unfortunately, the epidemic broke out in Morocco in early March, and the country was locked down. Li was stranded in Casablanca, the biggest city of Morocco. He started his creation in a small apartment with limited painting tools and materials collected by his local friend.

In April, the largest makeshift hospital of Africa was established opposite to Li’s apartment. Tense atmosphere spread day and night. In spite of such conditions, Li refused to return by the charter flight, and continued his creation.

On July 7, with the help of the Chinese Embassy in Morocco, Li and his over 100 works started a homeward journey. After a 14-day quarantine observation in Tianjin, he finally arrived in Changsha on July 25.

Li Zijian’s painting “Morning at a fish market in Essaouira”

Li Zijian’s painting “Terrifying Waves in the Atlantic Ocean”

Naïve children, pretty girls, good-nature farmers, and amiable mothers were presented in Li’s paintings. Beyond that, the landscape paintings of magnificent seashore of the Atlantic Ocean, vast Sahara Desert, thousand-year-old castles, and villatic scenes form an ode to nature. The audiences can have a panoramic view of Morocco via these magnificent works.

The exhibition will open to the public freely at the Li Zijian Art Museum B1 exhibition hall, until February 28, 2021.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui 

Chinese source: hunan.voc.com.cn