Painting a New Life in NE China

Source：chinadaily.com.cn Published：2019-07-31 10:19

Chen Shujiang creates a painting in his studio in Huadian, in northeast China’s Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Over the past 29 years, Chen Shujiang has created more than 1,000 paintings and won numerous awards in different art competitions across China.

Chen, 46, a farmer in Huadian, Northeast China's Jilin province, signed up for a free painting course provided by the city's cultural center in 1990.

A painting by Chen Shujiang presents the harvest season in the autumn. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I've been interested in painting since my childhood," he said. "But at that time, I never thought that I could win a gold award in a national folk art exhibition only three years later."

The award greatly encouraged Chen to create more technical artworks, bringing a new splash of color to his life and an essential source of income to his family.

Chen Shujiang creates a painting in his studio in Huadian, in northeast China’s Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Huadian enjoys a nationwide reputation for its rural artwork tradition, which is defined by a use of vibrant color and agricultural themes.

Thanks to this tradition, the city has seen an unexpected surge in popularity in recent years among art collectors and tourists alike.

A painting by Chen Shujiang presents the spring ploughing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Worker's paintings have seen a better opportunity for development in China in recent years," said the mayor Zhao Zhengtao. "The government is building it into a characteristic industry to benefit more people, and at the same time, we are positively promoting the art to get on the international stage."

A painting by Chen Shujiang presents the harvest season in the autumn. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A painting by Chen Shujiang presents the golden autumn. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A painting by Chen Shujiang presents the harmonious rural life. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Editor：Zhao Xichen