Chinese Name: 李錫堅
Born: 1949
Birthplace: Yilan County (Eastern Taiwan)
Did You Know That…?
In his early career, Li Hsi-chien worked closely with renowned directors such as Li Han-hsiang (李翰祥) and Wang Toon (王童). He also collaborated with international directors, stars, and Hollywood studios. More recently, he transitioned to music videos production, creating sets for celebrated musicians like Jay Chou (周杰倫) and Jam Hsiao (蕭敬騰).
Born in 1949 in Luodong Township (羅東鎮), Yilan County (宜蘭縣), Li showed a natural talent for art from an early age, driven by his passion for painting. While still a student, he apprenticed at Luodong Theater (羅東戲院) and Wanguo Theater (萬國戲院), where he painted theater boards.
In the 1960s, Li joined Central Pictures Corporation as a scenic artist, working with acclaimed directors from different generations, including Li Hsing (李行), Pai Ching-jui (白景瑞), Edward Yang (楊德昌), and Ang Lee (李安). His career spanned the evolution of Taiwanese cinema from the 1960s to the early 2000s.
During the golden age of Taiwanese cinema, Li produced over 200 set designs every year, encompassing films of various genres, from wuxia to romantic dramas, and bridging the transition from black-and-white to color filmmaking.
Li recounted memories from his early years, describing how he was amazed to see a “house within a house” on a film set, only to later discover it had been created through painting. This revelation sparked his fascination with scenic art. As the film industry grew rapidly, the demand for set production surged. Finding painting too slow for the increasing workload, Li began experimenting with spray techniques. His talent and dedication soon earned him recognition from renowned film directors in the Sinophone region.
In the 1980s, as Taiwan’s film industry declined, Li transitioned to the music video industry, where his work remained highly impactful. He contributed to the productions of famous artists such as Tsai Chin (蔡琴), Linda Long (龍千玉), and Jay Chou. Additionally, he was invited to create murals for museums and spiritual sites, including the Fo Guang Shan Monastery (佛光山), Tzu Chi Jing Si Abode (慈濟靜思精舍), and Jing Si Hall (靜思堂). His works featured vivid and immersive depictions of starry skies and bodhi trees.
Li retired from the Central Pictures Corporation in 2006 but has remained active in art design for various projects, including advertisements, theater, and architecture.
In 2024, renowned Taiwanese director Wei Te-sheng (魏德聖) invited Li to create the scenic art for his film “BIG.” For his exceptional contributions, Li was honored as the Outstanding Taiwanese Filmmaker of the Year at the 61st Golden Horse Awards. The judging panel praised his dedication, stating:
“Li Hsi-chien, a veteran scenic artist, has devoted over half a century to filmmaking. Even at the age of 76, he meticulously attended to every detail, ensuring that the film’s key set—the hospital—was portrayed both realistically and artistically, particularly through the layered clouds. His work not only perfectly captured the director’s vision but also elevated the film with its faithful representations.”
(Photo credit: Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival Executive Committee)