Li Shanggu

Li Shanggu, also known by his given name Xuan and art name Daoren Guyang (Taoist Priest Guyang), holds an on-the-job postgraduate degree and is originally from Nanhai, Guangdong. He converted to Taoism at the age of 16 at Tianjing Palace, the ancestral court of Taoism and the hometown of Laozi in Bozhou, Anhui, and studied under Taoist Priest Li Chengming. He is skilled in traditional Chinese painting and also proficient in calligraphy, seal carving, and poetry. As an in-studio disciple of Mr. Wang Yinjie, a second-generation successor of the Qi School (a famous painting school founded by Qi Baishi), he learned calligraphy and painting from masters such as Wang Jieshan, Cheng Fengzi, Li Tiesheng, and Ge Tao. He graduated from the China Taoist College and Minzu University of China, and has studied successively at the School of Chinese Painting of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University. Currently, he holds positions including Member of the Yongjia County Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Abbot of Beichuan Palace, Vice President of Laozi Academy, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Laozi Taoist Culture Research Association, Member of the China Cultural Management Association, Member of the Chinese Poetry Society, Member of the Chinese Couplet Society, Committee Member of the Calligraphy and Painting Academy of the China Taoist Association, Director of the Beijing Qi Baishi Art Research Association, and Director of the Anhui Zhao Puchu Research Association. Li Shanggu's calligraphy and painting works have been covered and reported by dozens of media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, Economic Daily, Beijing Daily, Beijing Youth Daily, Beijing Evening News, China Artists Network, Takungpao Network, Sina.com, Tencent Taoism Channel, and Beijing Television. His works have been exhibited at venues such as the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in the capital, Ningbo Museum, Rong Bao Zhai, Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Great Hall of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. He has also donated his works to multiple public welfare and charity organizations for charity auctions. In addition, his works have been selected into exhibitions including the China-South Korea Fine Arts Exhibition, Cross-Strait Three Regions Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition, Exhibition of Works by Famous Chinese Artists, and National Exhibition of Fine Works by Renowned Calligraphers and Painters. His works have spread to more than 20 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.