Li Jinhua

Li Jinhua, born in 1957, is from Qihe, Shandong Province. Vice President of the Chinese Mao Zedong Poetry and Calligraphy Research Institute Inheritor of Mao Zedong’s Calligraphy Art Member of the Shandong Calligraphy Association Director of the Generals’ Calligraphy and Painting Academy Mr. Li Jinhua was born into a scholarly family and began his career in education. For many years, he has specialized in studying and practicing Mao-style calligraphy, researching the artistic characteristics of Mao Zedong’s handwriting. He frequently visited renowned calligraphy masters and elders, greatly improving his skills through mutual exchange. His works are grand and majestic, delivering both awe and aesthetic pleasure. After viewing Mr. Li’s works, Chairman Mao’s daughter, Li Na, personally inscribed the word “Strive Forward” to encourage him. In 2009, after seeing Mr. Li’s works, writer Yang Mingliang composed an article titled “The Premier Brush of Mao Zedong’s Calligraphy,” highly praising him. The article was included in Yang’s book Interpretation of Mao Zedong’s Poetry and Calligraphy, along with six of Mr. Li’s calligraphy pieces. In 2010, Mr. Li’s work “Qinyuanchun·Snow” was collected by General Shao Hua, Chairman Mao’s daughter-in-law, who praised his calligraphy for closely resembling Chairman Mao’s own handwriting. In 2014, Mr. Li’s calligraphy of Mao Zedong’s poem “Chongyang” was collected by Lieutenant General Jing Xueqin, Deputy Commander of the Air Force, who presented him with an inscription: “Northern Frontier Glows with Crimson Skies; Mao-Style Calligraphy Blossoms Everywhere.” After collecting Mr. Li’s works, Mr. Zhao Yanhe, Chairman Mao’s former bodyguard, composed poems and verses in high praise, and inscribed on a calligraphy piece gifted to Mr. Li: “Respectfully Presented to a Fine Soldier of Chairman Mao.” In 2016, Mr. Li compiled all of Chairman Mao’s poetry into a 260-meter-long scroll, with Zhao Yanhe, Zhang YuFeng, Zhang Shanlan, and others collectively writing the preface. In 2016, Mr. Li created a 500-meter-long scroll of Zhu De’s poetry, which was collected by the Zhu De Memorial Hall and highly praised by Zhao Liping, daughter-in-law of Marshal Zhu De. In 2017, Mr. Li held a solo Mao-style calligraphy exhibition in Yantai and Weihai, receiving unanimous acclaim; entrepreneurs and others at the scene eagerly collected his works. In 2018, Mr. Li wrote the title calligraphy for China’s large-scale documentary “One Shot Through·I Love You, China.” Gold Award at the National Calligraphy and Painting Tour Exhibition “Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China.” First Prize at the National Calligraphy and Painting Tour Exhibition “The Party Flag Sweeping Through 90 Years.” Gold Awards at two editions of the “Commemorating Mao Zedong’s Birthday” Calligraphy and Painting Exhibitions. Gold Award at the Invitational Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition “Honghe Impression·Weishan Lake Ancient Town Cup.” First Prize at the “Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the War of Resistance Against Japan” Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by Generals and Masters. Mr. Li’s works have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines, and he has been invited to create calligraphy for institutions including the Air Force Logistics Command of the People’s Liberation Army of China, Hebei Yuanshi Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Zhu De Memorial Hall, Tiananmen National Flag Guard, and Xuzhou Air Force Academy. Today, Mr. Li’s works have matured and gained widespread recognition. I once advised him to raise his calligraphy pricing, but he dismissed the idea, telling me, “Calligraphy art belongs to the nation and to the people. I should follow the example of Mr. Wei Qihou in popularizing calligraphy art rather than seeking personal gain. My pricing should remain at a level affordable for ordinary families.”