A contemporary artist who reimagines feminine elegance, independence, and freedom through decorative figurative paintings inspired by Republican-era women.

Li Guifen | Jian Ling

A contemporary artist who reimagines feminine elegance, independence, and freedom through decorative figurative paintings inspired by Republican-era women.

Li Guifen (Jianling)
 
Li Guifen, known by her artistic name Jianling, graduated from the School of Network Finance at Hunan University and worked in the banking and financial sector for 38 years before dedicating herself to painting.
 
Inspired by women of China’s Republican era, she creates decorative figurative paintings that explore elegance, independence, memory, and feminine identity. Through simplified forms, refined compositions, and symbolic interior settings, her works construct poetic spaces that blend historical imagination with contemporary sensibility.
 
Her works have been exhibited in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and other cities, and are held in institutional and private collections. She currently lives and works in Songzhuang, Beijing.

Jianling (Li Guifen) is a contemporary Chinese artist based in Songzhuang, Beijing. Inspired by women of China’s Republican era, she creates decorative figurative paintings that explore feminine elegance, independence, memory, and inner reflection through a distinctive visual language.

Her Art works

A woman in a blue qipao sits beside a tea table with porcelain ware and flowering branches, surrounded by a quiet interior setting.

Afternoon Reverie

Acrylic on Canvas

50×40cm | 2021

A woman in a dark qipao sits beside a table with a cat, fruit, flowers, and a teacup, while a dragonfly appears near the window.

Dragonfly

Acrylic on Canvas

80×100cm | 2025

A woman in a dark qipao sits beside a pink table, holding a rolled scroll while immersed in thought.

Reading

Acrylic on Canvas

50×60cm | 2025

A monochromatic portrait of Chinese silent-film star Ruan Lingyu shown in profile with lowered gaze.

Ruan Lingyu

Acrylic on Canvas

40×50cm | 2018

A close-up portrait of Chinese actress Shangguan Yunzhu reclining with her head resting on one arm.

Shangguan Yunzhu

Acrylic on canvas

60×80cm | 2020

A portrait of Chinese singer and actress Zhou Xuan surrounded by blooming flowers.

Zhouxuan

Acrylic on Board

80×60cm | 2020

Contemporary Chinese Female Artist | Republican-Era Women Paintings | Decorative Figurative Art | Feminine Portraiture | Songzhuang Artist

・Jianling ・Li Guifen ・Republican-era women ・qipao women ・female portrait painting ・contemporary Chinese artist ・feminine imagery ・figurative painting ・acrylic on canvas ・Songzhuang artist