Li Jiayao, the younger brother of Li Yannian, began his artistic journey under his father’s guidance in painting from a young age. After graduating from high school in 1918, he enrolled at Peking University, where he participated in painting societies alongside renowned contemporary artists such as Chen Shizeng, Tang Dingzhi, Li Yishi, Chen Banding, and Hu Peiheng, benefiting from their careful guidance. The May Fourth Movement erupted in Beijing in 1919, prompting him to interrupt his studies and transfer to the Shanghai College of Fine Arts. He graduated in 1922 and returned to his hometown in Engchoon.

In 1926, Li Jiayao came to Southeast Asia and initially served as the principal of Tao Yuan Middle School that established by the Engchoon Association in Singapore. Later, he served as principal at the Kuala Lumpur National School and taught art at the Confucian School before entering business. Li Jiayao dedicated his life to the art of painting and calligraphy. After achieving success in his career, he retired early to focus fully on painting, leading a leisurely semi-retired life. His famous saying, “The brush does not know age; wealth and honor are like fleeting clouds,” reflects his indifference to fame and fortune.

It’s worth noting that although Li Jiayao produced numerous artworks throughout his life, he never sold any of them. He amassed a significant collection of masterpieces but never considered them as personal property. In 1970, he donated 1,400 precious artifacts of calligraphy and painting to the Nanyang University’s Lee Kong Chian Art Museum. On February 9, 1993, the “Li Jiayao Ninety-Three Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition” was held at the Hokkien Hall to raise funds for Dong Jiao Zong’s educational center, demonstrating his willingness to contribute when society needed him. His sense of social responsibility prompted him to donate most of his personal collection and artworks during critical moments.

Li Jiayao, devoted to painting and calligraphy, grew up during the turbulent times of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. After studying art in Shanghai, his family was forced to migrate to Malaya after his father was killed by bandits. Despite settling down, he remained active in the Southeast Asian region, leveraging the power of the Engchoon overseas Chinese to compel the Fujian provincial government to send troops to suppress banditry. Despite his past in business, his demeanor was far from that of a typical businessman, devoid of any commercialism.

Li Jiayao’s ink treasures are commonly found in Engchoon associations across the country, featuring many poetic verses and couplets attributed to Lin Lianyu. His artworks have earned him a place among the master artists in Malaysia. His disregard for fame and fortune, coupled with his preference for a simple and detached lifestyle, adds further acclaim to his works.