Brother Li Zuoren, Architect, Painter for the Church: I Would Like to Do My Bit for Faith

In 2010, Zuo Liren designed the First Station of 14 Stations of the Cross for Shenyang Holy Bible Cultural Theme Park located in China's northeastern Liaoning Province.
1/3In 2010, Zuo Liren designed the First Station of 14 Stations of the Cross for Shenyang Holy Bible Cultural Theme Park located in China's northeastern Liaoning Province. (photo: Wu Zhongyi)
Zuo Liren
2/3Zuo Liren(photo: Wu Zhongyi)
Zuo Liren was painting in 2017.
3/3Zuo Liren was painting in 2017. (photo: Wu Zhongyi)
By asdOctober 29th, 2020

In northeast China, there is a dedicated architect and painter. He has designed and decorated many church buildings such as the Running Water Christian Church in Changchun, Jilin Province, the Bible Theme Park in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, Mount Olivet Christian Church, and Mishan Church of Heilongjiang Province. Many of his works have been exhibited in CC&TSPM of Liaoning Province.

Brother Li Zuoren, is a believer from the Manchu nationality. He graduated from the Shenyang Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts and was in the first group of graduates after the resumption of the college entrance examination. A gifted student, he worked while studying for three years. Li specializes in architectural design and oil paintings. 

Brother Li worked in an art design department in Anshan city in Liaoning. When he was working in the state-owned enterprise, he specialized in the design and painting of product labels and logos. Some of his trademark designs have become famous in Anshan, which is known as the Steel City of China. The trademark of the Sportsman bicycle, which was once ridden by former US President George W. Bush, was his work. His designs cover real estate, commerce, agriculture, catering, banking, and other fields. In the church, his designs of church buildings and oil paintings are highly praised.

He has designed a number of churches in Northeast China. His most notable works are the Holy Bible Cultural Theme Park and the church in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. He worked in collaboration with foreign believers and participated in the creation, design, and decoration of them. Li developed his creative skills by continuing to learn and focus on further education. Born in 1957, he can skillfully operate CAD and other software to do designs on the computer. Therefore, his design of the church has not only Chinese characteristics but also has elements of foreign designs from Europe and America. His works not only have Catholic elements but also have the characteristics of Protestant Christianity. This kind of design and work which combine the Chinese and Western World and integrate the style of Christian aesthetics have been affirmed and adopted by some domestic churches.

Brother Li Zuoren is a devout believer. He reads the Bible and prays every day, and insists on attending church services. He has participated in various activities organized by the church and has painted many oil paintings with Christian themes for the church. Brother Li studied domestic and foreign Christian paintings. Then he created various oil paintings depicting the words and deeds of Jesus, such as the Five Loaves and Two Fishes, Entering the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Prayer in Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Ascension. The Christian CC&TSPM in Liaoning Province and some churches have displayed and collected some of his works.

In addition, brother Li is also good at building decoration, especially the interior of the church and the interior and exterior of villas and residences.

1 Kings 7:14 says about Hiram the workman of Tyre, "He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work." In ancient times, God gave Hiram wisdom, intelligence and skill, and our Lord today has many Hirams who are dedicated to Him.

- Translated by Nicolas Cao

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