Event Name: |
Speaker Series: Behind the Canvas with Xiang Li |
Event Date(s): |
Saturday, 8/2/2025, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, 1 hour, 30 minutes
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Ages Allowed: |
16 - 99 |
Tickets Available: |
88 |
Purchase Deadline:
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Saturday, 8/2/2025 2:00 PM
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Discover the powerful stories and artistry behind Chinese Empresses in an evening with acclaimed artist Xiang Li.
Join us for an inspiring evening with artist Xiang Li as she delves into the stories, symbolism, and creative process behind her Chinese Empresses exhibit. Discover how traditional Chinese aesthetics merge with contemporary techniques in her striking portraits. The Chinese Empresses exhibit is on view at New England Botanic Garden from June 14 to August 24.
Ticket Pricing
Free for NEBG Members | $10 Non-Members (includes admission to the Garden). Important Information
- A book signing will follow the talk, with copies available for purchase on-site.
- Additional learning opportunities with Xiang Li: Walk & Talk with the Artist | Thursday, July 24 and Thursday August 21, 6-7PM.
ABOUT THE ARTIST - Xiang Li
Xiang Li is an internationally acclaimed artist specializing in reproducing and restoring ancient Chinese paintings at the Forbidden City of Beijing, China, where she worked as a Master Artist for 37 years.Li's most recent collection, Chinese Empresses, features over 200 hand-painted tapestries with gemstone watercolors on silk and has been showcased at museums across Massachusetts, including the Harvard Museums, Worcester Art Museum, Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC), Cambridge Library, and more. Learn more about Xiang Li.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Xiang Li: The Chinese Empresses Collection at New England Botanic Garden at Tower HillMy lifelong journey as an artist began within the storied walls of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, where I dedicated over 37 years as a professional artist specializing in the meticulous art of painting, restoration, and cultural preservation.
Immersed from a young age in the ancient techniques passed down through generations, I developed a profound respect for Chinese history, traditions, and artistry. This journey culminated in the creation of The Chinese Empresses Collection, a series that honors powerful yet often overlooked women who profoundly influenced China's rich heritage.
Flowers symbolize resilience, beauty, and deep cultural significance in China - qualities vividly reflected in the lives and legacies of these empresses. Each portrait intertwines floral motifs directly tied to the narratives of the empresses, highlighting their strength, grace, and complexity.
As visitors explore New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, the historical figures I've painted are complemented by blossoms, blending both Chinese, native US and global floral species, creating a visual bridge between distant past and present.
Presenting my collection amongst the tranquil, flourishing surroundings of the Garden carries a particular resonance. It embodies my vision of art as a powerful medium for community and universal connection.
I invite visitors to be inspired by the stories of these extraordinary women, to recognize their own strength reflected in these narratives, and to experience a sense of shared humanity. Together, amid blooming gardens and historic portraits, we celebrate enduring resilience and timeless beauty.
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