Masters' flower-themed paintings shown in town

In this early spring, the Shenzhen Art Museum in Donghu Park is exhibiting 30 flower-themed paintings from its collection. Visitors can admire works by renowned artists, such as Zhu Qizhan (1892-1996), Wang Xuetao (1903-1982), Xie Zhiliu (1910-1997), Lai Shaoqi (1915-2000), Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) and Huang Yongyu.

A painting by Zhu Qizhan. Photos from Shenzhen Art Museum

Zhu was a painter and calligrapher known for his depictions of pine trees, orchids and bamboo. He is heralded as one of China’s foremost modern artists, with a museum dedicated to his art in Shanghai. His still-life and landscape paintings are renowned for their exuberance of spirit and his deliberate integration of Western and Chinese influences.

“Sunflowers” by Wu Guanzhong.

Wu’s artworks also display both Western and Eastern influences, such as the Western style of Fauvism and the Eastern style of Chinese calligraphy. “A snake swallowing an elephant” is how Wu once described himself — the snake symbolizing the Chinese artist in him, the elephant representing Western influence. It’s often said that Wu combined a sense of color and composition from Western oil painting with a spirit, lightness of touch and tonal variation of Chinese ink-wash painting.

A painting by Huang Yongyu. 

Huang, at age 99, is known for his prints and paintings. His ink works often feature scenes of wildlife, foliage, or human figures. His woodcut prints, color ink paintings and literary works brim with his passion for, and profound insights into, people from various groups and walks of life and the spirit of the times. In addition, this veteran artist loves animals very much. Various kinds of animals are featured in his artworks.

“Plum Blossoms” by Lai Shaoqi and Shao Yu.

Dates: Until Feb. 12

Booking: WeChat account “szam1976”

Venue: Shenzhen Art Museum, inside Donghu Park, Luohu District (东湖公园内深圳美术馆)

Metro: Line 5 or 7 to Tai’an Station (太安站), Exit C and then take a taxi