Li Hu

Li Hu, UW-Oshkosh Emeritus Art Professor, lost his long battle with cancer on April 13, 2016. Li was born into a family of artists on September 16, 1950, in Shanghai, China. His childhood was filled with hardships, as his aristocratic family was targeted as counter-revolutionists. Forever the optimist, Li persevered through all of these challenges with his unbeatable work ethic and humility. When he was pulled out of school and sent to the countryside as manual labor in the rice paddies, Li studied by candlelight at night to complete his high school education. Li carried a passion for art throughout his life. Influenced by his uncle, a famous illustrator, and the awe-inspiring works of Michelangelo, he eventually attended and graduated from Shanghai University Fine Arts College in 1986. Afterwards, he was appointed professor there and taught for four years. It was then that he met his wife, Ping, a mechanical engineer taking art classes with aspirations to become an architect. Li helped Ping with her architecture school application and through that process, began dating and fell in love. Li and Ping married in February, 1988, and had their son, Yichen, in November of the same year. In 1990, Li and family moved to the United States, in Vermillion, South Dakota where Li pursued a Masters in Fine Arts and Ping pursued a Masters in Mathematics and an undergraduate degree in Nursing from the University of South Dakota. During the summers, Li worked as a street portrait artist in New York City alongside other Chinese artists. In June 1992, Li and Ping had their daughter, Elina. In 1994, Li accepted a teaching position at UW-Oshkosh, where he would teach for almost 20 years and touch the lives of hundreds of students. Since 1994, Li has had an extensive art career. He has had more than forty solo exhibitions and over 100 juried shows at art museums and universities throughout the United States and the world. His work has been collected by several museums and art institutions and many private collectors. His biography and work have been included in over twenty books, including Whos Who in the World, Whos Who in America, and One Hundred Outstanding Artists. Lis artwork will remain on permanent display at the Li Hu Art Work Exhibition Hall in the Ning Bo Museum of Art in China.Friends and family remember Li as a loving and thoughtful father, husband, brother, and son. He is remembered by his students and colleagues as a great mentor and inspirational artist. An avid gardener, he was forever sharing delicious home cooked meals and giving away vegetables from his garden to friends and neighbors. Friends and family also remember his booming tenor singing voice, often on display at home, during karaoke gatherings, or at community talent shows. Lis warm smile, generous heart, and humble spirit made him easy friends in the community and all over the world.Li is survived by his wife, Ping Li; son, Yichen; daughter, Elina; father, Renzhi Hu; mother, Keren He, and his brother, Su Hu.Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at All Saints Lutheran Church (1072 Honey Creek Dr. Oshkosh, WI 54904). Visitation will be held beforehand from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Li Hu Art Student Scholarship, which will provide dedicated art students with the ability to pursue their passions (UW Oshkosh Foundation, 625 Pearl Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54901 or online at http://bit.ly/1TSDztC).

All Saints Lutheran Church



1072 Honey Creek Rd
Oshkosh
WI
54904

00:00.0
12:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.



All Saints Lutheran Church



1072 Honey Creek Rd
Oshkosh
WI
54904

00:00.0
3:00 p.m.