He Painted Ten-Meter Azaleas at the Age of 90s

Swallows and magpies skillfully and freely dart through the flowers and ducks play leisurely on the water. Pink azaleas bloom throughout the entire picture, and mountain rocks perfectly scattered among them …

燕子与喜鹊在花丛间灵巧地自由穿梭，鸭子在水面上悠游地肆意嬉戏，粉色杜鹃花开满整幅画面，山石恰到好处地点缀其间…...

On March 23rd, the renowned Chinese flower-and-bird painter Li Ziqiang, who is already 90 years old this year, completed the creation of a flower-and-bird scroll painting titled "Spring on Earth" after 10 days of careful work. This 10-meter-long painting was created by Li to welcome the upcoming Azalea Festival in Ruyang, Henan Province.

3月23日，今年已经90岁的著名花鸟画家李自强，历时10天精心绘制的花鸟画长卷《大地春光》创作完成。这幅作品长10米，是李自强为了迎接河南汝阳即将到来的杜鹃花节而特意创作的。

Every April, the 100,000 acres of wild azaleas on Western Tai Mountain in Ruyang enter their best flower viewing season. Vast areas of wild azaleas are in full bloom one after another. The 9-kilometer-long azalea corridor is full of red blooming flowers, covering the mountains with fine brocades. This makes Ruyanga a wonderful place to appreciate azaleas.

每年4月份，汝阳西泰山的10万顷野生杜鹃花进入最佳赏花期，大面积野生杜鹃花次第盛开，绵延9公里的杜鹃长廊，花团锦簇、绽红吐艳，为巍巍群山披上灿烂云锦。这使得汝阳成为赏杜鹃的好去处。

The azalea is indigenous to China, also known by such names as mountain pomegranate, rhododendron simsii, etc. In cold conditions, azalea would bloom ahead of other flowers, heralding the arrival of spring, so it is also reputated as "primrose". Azaleas in full bloom, covering the mountain slopes, display a grand and majestic sight, so it is also regarded by the Chinese people as a symbol of good luck and happiness.

杜鹃花原生于中国，别名山石榴、映山红等。在寒冷条件下，杜鹃花先于百花，预示着春天的到来，因此也有着“报春花”的美誉。杜鹃花开，铺满山岗，气势壮观，所以，杜鹃花也被中国人民视为吉祥如意和幸福美好的象征。

When creating Spring on the Earth, Li specially emphasized the cultural connotation of azalea. The azaleas blooming all over the mountains, together with swallows and ducks, express the vitality of Ruyang in spring, and convey wishes for a better life.

在创作《大地春光》的过程中，李自强特意强调了杜鹃花的文化内涵。开满山野的杜鹃花与燕子、鸭子一同，展现了春日汝阳的活力与生机，传递着对美好生活的祝愿。

Born in Ruyang in 1934, Li is an important representative figure in the contemporary art field in Henan. He has served as the President and Chief Editor of Henan Fine Arts Publishing House, Executive Vice President of Henan Academy of Calligraphy and Painting, and Vice Chairman of Henan Artists Association.

李自强1934年出生于汝阳，是河南当代美术界的重要代表人物，曾担任河南美术出版社社长兼总编辑、河南省书画院常务副院长、河南省美术家协会副主席。

During his tenure, Li Ziqiang led the establishment and founding of art institutions such as Henan Fine Arts Publishing House, Henan Painting and Calligraphy Academy, Henan Flower and Bird Painting Research Association and other art institutions, which prospered Henan's art creation.

在职期间，李自强牵头组建创办了河南美术出版社、河南省书画院、河南省花鸟画研究会等美术机构，繁荣了河南的美术创作。

In terms of creation, Li Ziqiang learned from nature and worked hard, making him so unique in the field of flower and bird painting in China. At the same time, he cares for and helps new artists, cultivating numerous outstanding art talents for today's art.

在创作上，李自强师法自然、砚田苦耕，在国内花鸟画领域独树一帜。同时，他关爱后学、扶掖新人，为当今画坛培养了众多优秀美术人才。

Liu Jie, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, Vice Chairman of the Henan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Chairman of the Henan Artists Association, once commented: "Master Li is a talented artist long respected in Henan, and also one of the leading figures domestically. He has laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Henan's fine arts and is a role model for the younger generation to learn from."

对于李自强，中国美术家协会副主席、河南省文联副主席、河南省美术家协会主席刘杰曾评价：“李自强老师是河南德高望重、德艺双馨的老艺术家，也是中原美术的领军人物之一，为河南美术事业的持续发展打下了坚实的基础，是年轻一辈学习的榜样。”

Ruyang is the holy land of the origin of Chinese white wine, the famous hometown of dinosaurs at home and abroad, the well-known azalea county in the north, and has beautiful mountains and rivers at the source of the Huai River.

汝阳是中国白酒的源头圣地、驰名中外的恐龙之乡、享誉北国的杜鹃名县、淮河源头的秀丽山川。

On January 21 this year, Li Ziqiang Art Museum opened in Ruyang. Upon returning to his hometown, Li Ziqiang hopes to use the art gallery as a base to continue contributing his remaining efforts to artistic creation, and to inspire and develop the cultural and artistic enterprises of his hometown.

今年1月21日，李自强艺术馆在汝阳开馆。回到故乡，李自强希望以艺术馆为基地，发挥余热，继续创作，启迪和发展家乡的文化艺术事业。

In the creation of the 10-meter scroll, he said: "In the spring of Ruyang, azaleas fill the mountains and everywhere is a renewal of life. This year's Azalea Culture Festival is coming soon. I specially created this work, hoping to present Ruyang's beautiful scenery in spring for tourists from all parts of the country."

此次创作10米花鸟画长卷《大地春光》，他说：“春天的汝阳，杜鹃花漫山遍野，万象更新。今年的杜鹃文化节即将到来，我专门创作了这幅作品，希望在来自四面八方的游客面前，呈现汝阳春日喜气洋洋的美好景色。”(中文来源/大河美术报 编辑/王岗飞 编译/童林 崔文琦 审校/温晓梅)