Collection: "Smile" Series | 101×45cm

Li Zongyi's "Smile" Series | Freehand Ink Figure Painting · 4.9 sq ft Vertical Format

The 4.9-square-foot vertical format is the most spacious set in the "Smile" series: a slender, tall canvas where figures and negative space bring out the best in each other. The great Maitreya Buddha sits above, the painter holds his brush below, and a child looks up offering a bowl — teacher and student joyful together, man and Buddha in one frame. It is Li Zongyi's own warm-hearted composition, capturing on one sheet the ease of "painting while laughing, laughing while painting" (「笑着画画、画着笑着」).

Technical Rarity: Minimal Freehand — Few Strokes, Complete Spirit

Painted in a minimal freehand manner (「极简大写意」): concise, unrestrained brushwork and expressive exaggeration capture each figure's spirit in a few strokes; the tall vertical composition lets the brush's momentum and the emptiness of the negative space fully unfold, qi (「气」) flowing through the whole piece. The candid inscriptions (「题词」) and the image title each other, full of life wisdom and humour. Each painting is a hand-painted one-of-a-kind original; once sold, it is gone forever.

Artistic and Collectible Value

Li Zongyi brings his mastery of Buddhist figures (「世界画佛第一人」) to worldly joy, fusing Zen spirit with the warmth of everyday life. The slender vertical format suits single hanging on narrow walls, corridors and tea-room walls especially well — outstanding as a stand-alone work of art. Within the series, this format is modest in size yet scarce in number, with promising long-term collectible value.

Collection and Gifting

Suited to vertical hanging in tea rooms, studies, corridors and offices, and a tasteful choice for housewarmings and openings. Hand-painted one-of-a-kind; once sold, the series is closed forever.