沈鹏 Nov. 28, 1996

中国著名女画家李曼女士，出生于人杰地玲的安徽省合肥市，系中国美术家协会会员、中华全国青年联合会委员、高级工艺美术师、泰华艺术协会海外顾问、中国翰园碑林顾问、美国中华文化交流促进会顾问、美国休斯顿中国美术会永久会员、中国洛阳城书画院名誉院长。

李曼女士自幼酷爱艺术，刻苦勤奋，持之以恒，自学成才，曾拜师于画家韩美林教授门下，是韩教授十分器重的弟子。一九八七年毕业于中央工艺美术学院，亲聆于著名花鸟画家俞致贞先生的教诲。她擅长工笔"牡丹"、雕刻、装璜设计、歌舞等，艺术路子较宽。十几年来，成果颇多，有的作品已经远销海外；有的作品被国家文化部作为国际文化交流的礼品赠送给外国友人；有的作品被香港、泰国、日本、美国、北京等有关单位和典藏家收藏。

一九八四，李曼的镂空木雕挂盘作品"鱼、虾、蟹、龟"，被选送香港世界工艺品博览会展览，获专家好评。一九八八年五月，首次在北京举办《李曼国画雕刻艺术展览》，中国著名书法家杨宣庭先生为画题词；著名美术家、美学家、国家一级美术鉴定师、中央美术学院教授常任侠先生为画展剪彩，并欣然命笔题写了"妙手天成"四个大字，给予了高度的赞扬和充分的肯定。中央电视台、北京电视台、北京日报、中国文艺报、人民画报等新闻单位进行了专题报道，引起了国内外各界人士的关注。

一九八五年李曼女士的工笔画《国色本来不染尘》获安徽省级美展二等奖。现此幅作品已被香港港事顾问、全国政协常委、国际著名典藏家徐展堂艺术馆收藏。

一九九0年，中国人民美术出版社编辑出版了她的专著《李曼作品集》。由中国著名雕塑大师刘开渠教授为该书题写书名、常任侠教授作序，该书集中反映了李曼近年来所取得的艺术成果。

一九九0年八月，李曼女士代表所在单位向亚运会捐赠了她精心创作的巨幅国画《锦绣前程》和画册。

一九九一年八月，李曼女士参加了中国美协组织的赈灾义卖活动，并捐赠了画款，为慈善事业做出了贡献。

一九九一年十二月，李曼女士应泰华艺术协会的邀请赴泰国曼谷成功地举办了《中国艺术家李曼画展》，引起了轰动，受到了泰国观众的敬仰。中国驻泰王国大使李世淳以及泰国著名华侨领导人为画展联合剪彩，泰国七家华文报刊及泰、英文报多次作了专题报道，把李曼誉为"中国牡丹皇后"。中华人民共和国驻泰王国大使馆一九九二年一月三日给李曼所在单位的函中写道："李曼女士酷爱艺术，言必称艺术和祖国使华侨十分钦佩，像这样既爱艺术又爱祖国的女艺术家实在难得"。这次画展为促进中泰两国文化交流，增强两国人民的友谊做出了突出的贡献。为了庆祝展览成功，泰华艺术协会特为李曼女士举行了庆功大会，并颁发了奖状、聘书和金牌。

一九九三年五月李曼女士应香港中国广告公司邀请，在香港中国文物馆再次成功地举办了《青年艺术家李曼画展》，香港新华社副社长张俊生、香港知名人士港事顾问、全国政协常委李东海、徐展堂、余国春及美术界专家文楼等出席开幕式。香港无线、亚视等四家电视台以及十几家报刊作了专题报道。全国政协副主席霍英东先生收藏了本展最高标价的工笔画牡丹《国色天香》。画展的成功举办，对弘扬国粹、增进港人对祖国文化的了解起到了积极的作用，引起了较大的反响。

一九九四年十一月李曼女士应马来西亚"马中友好协会"的邀请在马来西亚怡保市举办了《中国艺术家李曼画展》。中国驻马来西亚使馆文化参赞和怡保市市长等主持了剪彩仪式。

一九九四年十二月十八日在吉隆坡再次成功地兴办了《中国艺术家李曼画展》，中华人民共和国驻马来西亚大使馆特命全权大使钱锦昌先生、马中友好协会奥斯曼.阿旺主席等为画展主持剪彩仪式。李曼的牡丹画深受观众的喜爱和高度的赞扬。

一九九五年十二月一日，李曼女士应新加坡雨竹堂画廊邀请，在新加坡成功地举办了《北京女画家李曼国画、民歌欣赏会》。中华人民共和国驻新加坡大使馆特命全权大使傅学章先生、文化参赞赖祖金先生及当地名流潘受、唐欲、李文隆先生等主持了剪彩仪式。此次欣赏会李曼的国画、民歌在亚洲进一步扩大了影响。

一九九六年一月十日，李曼女士应美国休斯顿中国美术会的邀请，在休斯顿再次成功地举办了《中国女画家李曼国画、民歌欣赏会》，受到休斯顿各界人士的欢迎。

一九九六年一月十九日，《中国艺术家李曼画展》在美国纽约东方画廊隆重举行，中华人民共和国常驻联合国代表特命全权大使秦华孙先生、中华人民共和国驻纽约总领事馆梅平总领事、中华人民共和国驻美利坚合众国大使馆文化参赞李刚先生及当地侨领为画展联合剪彩。画展为增强两国人民友谊、弘扬中华国粹、促进中美文化艺术交流做出了突出的贡献。美国中文电视、北美卫视、《侨报》、《星岛日报》、《世界日报》、新华社、中新社等近十家新闻机构进行了专题报道。

李曼女士现下进行新的艺术探索，向着更高的艺术高峰攀登。我相信在她今后漫长的艺术生涯中，用她那双神奇般的双手，一定会给人类绘出更美丽的画卷。

沈鹏

11/28/96

Shen Peng - Chairman of Chinese Calligraphers' Association

Her name is Li Man. Born in Hefei, Anhui Province, Li Man fell in love with art since her childhood. She was so devoted and consistent that she had been recognized as one of the most promising young artists at the age of 25. She was a favorite student of respectful Painter Han Meiling. In 1987, she was admitted to the Central Institute of Arts & crafts and was taught by Messrs. Yu Zhizheng and Yuan Yinyi, who are the two most famous experts in painting birds and flowers. Ms. Li Man's specialty is in painting peony that has made her a nickname of "Chinese Peony Queen". She is also good at wood carving, interior design, even dancing and singing as well. In the past 10 years, she has completed numerous works. Some of them were purchased by collectors in China and many countries. Some were chosen by the government agencies as gifts to foreign friends for cultural exchange. Some were published in magazines, newspapers or other publications.

In 1984, "Fish, Lobster, Crab & Tortoise", a traditional Chinese painting by Li Man, was selected to be on show in the Hong Kong International Arts and Crafts Exhibition. It was highly appreciated by the experts.

In 1985, "National Color, Never Be Polluted", also a traditional painting of her, won a 2nd Prize in Anhui Province. This picture is now in the possession of famous Hong Kong collector Xu Zhangtang.

She held her personal show - "Li Man's Chinese Painting & Wood Carving" in Beijing in May, 1988, which received wide coverage of the media. Many well-known artists and experts attended the opening ceremony. Professor Chan Renxia, one of the most famous artists in China, complimented her for her excellent skills.

"Li Man's Selected Works" was published by the People's Art Publishing House in 1990. Foreworded by professor Chan Renxia, it was composed of a great number of Li Man's paintings and other art works.

In August, 1990, she contributed to the Asian Games a giant painting titled "Splendid Future".

In August, 1991, she donated some of her works to the charity organizations for the flood victims.

In December, 1991, she was invited by the Chinese Art Association of Thailand to hold her personal show in Bangkok, Thailand, the opening ceremony was attended by many high ranking officials and as well as Chinese Ambassador to Thailand. The exhibition was covered in detail by the Thai media. And it was considered to be a success, promoting cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries. Ms. Li Man was awarded for her contribution by the host.

Between 1993 and 1995, Ms. Li Man respectively held her exhibition in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. The shows attracted many local officials and art experts. The audience was very impressed by her beautiful pictures. Li Man was hailed as an ambassador who links communication between countries.

In January, 1996, Li Man successfully held her exhibition in Houston, Texas and New York city. Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations attended the opening ceremony in New York. All major newspapers in the Chinese community covered the event and published articles about Li Man and her works.

Currently, Li Man is a member of Chinese Artists's Association and All China Youth Federation. She has been appointed as advisor to the Chinese Art Association of Thailand, Sino-American Association of the promotion for the Chinese culture and China Han Yuan Art Academy. She is the honorary chairwoman of China Luoyang Wangcheng Art Academy and a permanent member of Chinese Art Association of Houston.

I believe that Ms. Li Man, with her talents and creativity, would make her own contribution to the world in art.