ST. PETER — A Chinese immigrant commissioned to create a religious painting for Gustavus Adolphus College is visiting the liberal arts school’s campus this weekend.
“Wonderful,” He Qi said to his wife, Yu Hua, about the elegantly decorated room where they saw “Journey” for the first time since the painting was shipped to St. Peter.
He Qi — who also uses James as his name — consulted over the past year with Christmas in Christ Chapel 2025’s artistic director, Chad Winterfeldt, to decide what imagery would best fit with the theme of this year’s Advent services, “Seeking Hope: Dreams of a New Way.”
“His painting helps us see ourselves in the role of the Magi,” said Gustavus chaplain Ben Hilding, as he stood with the couple in front of the oil work that temporarily hangs in Alumni Hall.
He Qi’s “Journey” depicts the Magi trio as a man wearing a cowboy hat and riding a camel flanked by two women — one a young blonde, the second an older female with Asian facial features.
The Nativity story does not mention the gender or the age of the three people who followed a star to find the baby Jesus, explained Hilding. The painting also depicts the contrast between two kings. Herod, who tried to kill the infant Jesus by ordering the Massacre of the Innocents, is depicted in gray tones. He used cheery yellows and oranges to paint the Holy Family in a manger at Bethlehem and the large star above their heads.
“Jesus is the Light of the World,” He Qi said to explain the color choices.
“Journey” has a few nods to St. Peter and to the college’s campus.
“The Minnesota River also is in the painting, so is our guest housing,” Hilding said.
On Thursday, He Qi visited with Gustavus students and explained his artist’s journey that began as a teen who studied traditional Chinese techniques and created sanctioned images.
“Then I saw a painting by Raphael (pictured in a neighbor’s art book)… It had such a peaceful message,” he said recalling the image of Mary holding the Christ child.
From then on, it was “painting Chairman Mao by day, then painting Madonna at midnight.”
He Qi went on to study in Europe, where he traveled extensively. After the family arrived in the United States, He Qi, Yu Hua and their son, lived in Stillwater for a time.
Today, as he has for decades, the artist creates religious paintings that convey “a peaceful message.”
“Twenty years ago, when I visited Gustavus Adolphus College, I saw the chapel for the first time,” He Qui said.
Attendees at this weekend’s Christmas in Christ Chapel services who enter through the worship center’s front doors will be greeted by a display of a reproduction of “Journey.” The chapel’s interior also has been decorated for the season by 2011 alumnus and Guthrie Theater lead scenic artist Lydia Francis.
Although the performances are sold out, a free livestream option is available at: gustavus.edu/about/administrative-offices/chaplains/christmas-christ-chapel.