Artwork copyright Ying Li. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Early Spring, 1988

Ying Li
American (born 1951)

Location: East Valley High School, Spokane

About the Artwork

Early Spring is an expressive painting by artist Ying Li, composed of abstract floral forms in the foreground with reference to a horizon line and landscape in the background. Li notes that the idea was "to carry the viewer's eye from the flowers to the springtime that was blooming outdoors, and to make the viewer feel the glory of life in the season of growth and renewal."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with East Valley School District, Spokane.

About the Artist

Born in Beijing, artist Ying Li taught herself to paint while working as a farm laborer during China's cultural revolution. She graduated from Anhui Teachers University, where she studied painting, and earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design in New York City, after emigrating to the United States. Her work is influenced by Abstract Expressionism and Ch'ing dynasty artists, whose expressive works are rooted in nature.