Self-taught painter to host solo exhibition in Ningbo

Chen Zhizhong, a 66-year-old rural artist in Ningbo, shows off his painting. [Photo/Tide News]

Chen Zhizhong, a self-taught rural artist in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is currently busy preparing for his solo exhibition that showcases the development of his hometown.

Chen is a resident of Xicheng village in Zhanqi town. Despite never receiving any formal art training, he has developed a unique painting style over the course of five decades.

When he was young, Chen was responsible for painting murals in the village, which helped him to hone his painting skills. Then he was encouraged to paint teaching materials at a technical college.

"I was proud that my paintings of paddies, vegetables, trees, and insects were displayed as teaching materials in classrooms," Chen said.

Later, Chen was employed by a local company for his design skills.

In recent years, he has been depicting people's lives and the beautiful scenery of Zhanqi. The 66-year-old artist plans to host a solo exhibition at the culture and sports center in the town next spring. He is currently busy painting more pictures of his hometown for the exhibition in his studio.