This year marks the centenary of the birth of Huang Zhou (1925-1997), one of China's most revered modern masters of art who captured life in China's southern shores with his painting brush. To commemorate him, a retrospective exhibition is being held in China, showing dozens of Huang Zhou's masterpieces.
Huang's works were often characterized by quick sketches and bold, expressive brushstrokes. At the core of his artistic style was realism, with a focus on capturing the vivid details of everyday life, while infusing them with a deep sense of patriotism.
Born in a village in north China's Hebei Province, Huang traveled extensively, through Xinjiang, Fujian, and the South China Sea, seeking inspiration in everyday life.
"He loved life. Wherever he went, he fell in love with it," said Liang Ying, Huang Zhou's daughter.
The South China Sea, one of China's four major seas, is the country's largest offshore area and Huang Zhou's lifelong source of inspiration.
He first traveled there in 1962 at the age of 37, and returned five times to sketch frontline life during defensive battles in Xisha Qundao in the South China Sea.
From China's southernmost island province of Hainan to Xisha Qundao, he painted naval soldiers, coastal life, leaving behind hundreds of sketches and photos, a living visual archive of his era.
"There was a militia who had participated in the Xisha defense battle. My father had sketched him. His child came across the sketch in one of our books and said, 'This is my father.' It was really touching," said Liang Ying.
His impact extends beyond his artwork. As a founding member of the China National Academy of Painting and the founder of the Yan Huang Art Museum, Huang played a pivotal role in shaping China's fine arts landscape.
This exhibition offers a comprehensive retrospective of Huang Zhou's artistic journey and highlights his multifaceted identities.
"This exhibition highlights Huang Zhou's many roles, that of a soldier, a husband, a father, a collector, and a key promoter of China's fine arts industry," said Wu Hongliang, president of the Beijing Fine Art Academy and the curator of the retrospective.
Capturing joys and struggles of ordinary people from Xisha Qundao to Hainan Province, Huang Zhou left a legacy on paper that never fade.
The exhibition will run until June 15 at the Guangdong Museum of Art.
Late Chinese artist memorized for capturing life in southern shores with brush
Late Chinese artist memorized for capturing life in southern shores with brush
