Li Damu

CHINA, Shandong, Yantai

A painter, calligrapher, and seal engraver from Muping district in Yantai, Li Damu had the original name of Li Du. He was a professor of Chinese painting at the College of Art in the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, the editor of Chinese Art and Literature Monthly, and a committee member of the Seal Cutting Academic Society. He was also the first Chinese artist of his time to be involved in cultural exchange with Korea, holding a solo exhibition there in 1966. His published works include Memoir of Qu Gong Chamber, Selected Works of Couplet and Poetry, and Memorial Exhibition of Li Damu.
Li studied the bronze and stone inscriptions of the Qin (221–207 BCE) and Han (206 BCE–220 CE) dynasties, and created his own unique calligraphic style which was classical, modest, and magnificent. Along with Wang Zhuangwei, Tzeng Shaujie, Liang Naiyu, Wang Beiyue, and others, Li was a founding member of the Hai Jiao Inscription Society. He championed seal carving art in Taiwan, helping it to flourish.
Pictorial seal works by Li include Amitabha Buddha, a red-character rectangular seal, and Seated Amitabha Buddha, both of which display his skillful, fluid carving style. Another Buddhist seal is entitled Detachment from Appearances. His freehand bird-and-flower paintings were influenced by the style pioneered by Wu Changshuo and Qi Baishi.