Interview with Huang Li in Huang Li

1. When did you start learning to draw?

I began to learn to draw when I was 6 years old. At first, I studied in Beijing Children's Palace. I started with art education in primary schools, and then I went to colleges and universities for systematic study and training.

How did you come to the stamp issuing bureau to start designing stamps?

When I went to work in the Stamp Distribution Bureau of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, I completely obeyed the unified issuance of the state. I had no choice at that time, so I was very happy at work.

You study oil painting. How do you combine your major with stamp design?

It is said that oil painting is not close to stamp design. I guess it may be that the leaders consider that as a big country, stamp design should have more kinds of paintings. Oil painting is a universal painting in the world, and its expressive force is very personalized. On the contrary, stamps, as postage certificates, emphasize * * * and reflect the intention of the country.

There is an adaptation problem in stamp design. I study oil painting, and I usually paint oil painting. Naturally, I will bring oil painting techniques to stamp design. I also designed stamps in the form of oil paintings for foreign countries and Hong Kong. In the past, the stamps designed for "Ancient Town of Water Town" seemed to be in the form of ink and wash. In fact, there is also the shadow, composition and charm of oil painting. As a kind of painting, it has both advantages and limitations. In fact, all forms of painting are not easy to set foot in the field of stamps, and can replace expression language and perfection. I have made some attempts in these aspects, but my combination is not very good.

4. Can you talk about your painting style? What is the concept of stamp design?

I am over 70 years old this year, and I have no style in stamp design. As far as my preference is concerned, I prefer novel pictures with bright colors and strong color contrast. The best design language for stamps is one set. Stamps are not only postage certificates, but also works of art, which are finally sold to stamp collectors. Of course, stamp collectors need to enjoy it. No matter the taste or taste, it must be worth the money, otherwise the money will be earned and the scolding will follow.

5. Is there an unforgettable event or person in your stamp design career?

Yes, 1982, designed a commemorative stamp for Dr. Ke Dihua, an international friend. Ke Dihua is an Indian with a very kind heart. He sympathized with the people of China who suffered from the war. He was sent to China by the Indian National Congress Party to support War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the people of China, together with the five members of the "Indian Medical Team for Aid to China". He fought in the "Kuomintang-controlled area" and the liberated area successively to treat the wounded and sick of the Eighth Route Army and the common people. His deeds are very touching. He died in China. I used to travel in the old Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei region, and Gegong Village in Tangxian County, Hebei Province is where Ke Dihua lived for a long time. I met some old people who had participated in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in the village. One of them is an old man named Li Shanxiu. He recalled the scene of that year, and sang an elegy sung by the soldiers and civilians at Ke Dihua's memorial service. The lyrics are: "I express my condolences to the Indian family. He spent four autumns here. Ah! Dear Comrade Ke Dihua, your highest ideal is to lead us to achieve world peace. " He also sang "Forward" for me! Forward! Forward ",he said that the lyrics of this song were not like this, but now the lyrics have changed.

These things happened 40 years ago, and they still move me today. The people will always have Dr. Ke Dihua in their hearts. Ke Dihua is not rich at home in India, and his tuition fees are all borrowed from usury. According to common sense, he could have lived a rich life by practicing medicine after graduation, but he went to the battlefield in China to fight fascism, and his family also supported his choice. Ke Dihua's life is "to make contributions to China and win glory for the two major nationalities". I still remember the scene 40 years ago.

A foreigner can combine his personal future with the liberation of China people, which inspires me and makes me never forget to link my personal future with my country.

Another person is Chen Jiageng, who designed a commemorative stamp for patriotic overseas Chinese on 1 10 anniversary of Chen Jiageng's birthday. I saw a page of the old man's diary in my old residence, which recorded his daily living expenses in detail. Very frugal, but it is such an old man who is generous to the public welfare undertakings of saving the country through industry. From donating a lot of money and materials to support the Anti-Japanese War to building roads and bridges, setting up schools and ancestral temples. It is said that he founded a "kindergarten" in China, and has a good reputation as a "schoolmaster". He has done many good things for people in his life.

6. How many sets of stamps have you designed? What is your favorite set and why?

How many stamps have I designed? I haven't done statistics, and I can't say which set of stamps I like, because the time for designing stamps is limited, and the deadline is often reached. That's it, that's it. Maybe next time. I am not a smart person, and I am more subjective and more confident than myself.

7. Did you leave any regrets in the process of stamp creation?

Stamp design is often ineffective labor. Many people were invited for a set of manuscripts, and even thirty or forty sets of plans were made, but in the end, only one set could be selected, and all other design drafts were shelved. Finally, there will be a happy family and a sad family. Do you regret it? There is a theory that a dwarf draws generals from within. I think, if you have no idea, everyone is short, no matter how you pull it out, it is still short.

I think this is a waste of resources. The French say we can't afford to date you at all. I also asked my French colleague, "We can't date you like this. I also asked my French colleague, "How many sets do you have?" They said, "I saw one person, at most two or so. "

What should I do to compile and finalize? Let's talk separately. Who will you listen to in the end? In the field of stamp design, it is necessary to learn Scientific Outlook on Development's ideas. I look forward to experts coming out to reflect. Stamp design should have the concept of big thinking.

8. There are many "masters" and "experts" in the society now, and the philatelic circle is no exception. Have you ever been called a painter, a master or a famous stamp designer? How to treat this phenomenon?

Someone flatters you. This is just a kind word. Just kidding, don't take it seriously. Let's talk about myself. I am a designer. I call "teacher" by profession. For example, chefs are also called "teachers". I don't think it can be called "home". "Home" has conditions, such as whether you are educated in a good atmosphere. Are there any clear high-level and high-level academic monographs? Does your work serve as a link between the preceding and the following? Whether a genre is formed, including a certain number and inheritors. Is there a boutique, and what is the recognition in the industry? Is it recognized by the seniors? Wait a minute.

These conditions are not enough for me, let alone a famous designer. If someone introduces me like this in public, I will stand up and correct it. Once at an event, a person in the audience joked loudly: "Unknown people are more famous than famous people." This makes me laugh and cry. Now there is a phenomenon, "money kidnapping culture". If the ticket is torn, kidnapping is a disaster. I often tell myself not to let fame and fortune kidnap my career. No kidnapping, keep your promise. Once your promise is broken, it is self-destruction.

9. You are an optimistic and knowledgeable person. Can you tell me what you think of life?

I'm over 70 years old, and my life is 70 years old. When you are old and live in seclusion, everything is very simple. "seventy-year-old health" is a realm. Old saying: Let nature take its course. I am very happy about everything, everything is casual, happy, grateful and willing to do good deeds. Looking at the image coldly, I passed by helplessly. What is happiness? Some people say that living is happiness, but I think it is more appropriate to add, "Living the life you should live at your age is the real happiness. Is there any difficulty in life now? Yes, my son is severely disabled because of congenital cerebral palsy, high coordination disorder of limbs. He has been unable to take care of himself since he was born. I live with my children. After all these years, he still needs me to take a bath back and forth, and now he feels very tired. But my son loves painting and gets along well with me. He is also my good friend. His humor and cuteness gave me comfort and pleasure in my life, but at the same time, it also changed my character and made me not so lazy. Because of him, I have always been heroic and learned to appreciate each other. In fact, I can be an excellent Japanese.