Edutainment > Zhuang Yanjun - born 1981

Mr. Zhuang Yanjun
copyright Zhuang Yanjun

Zhuang Yanjun is a young artist born into a Buddhist family. He has specialized in woodblock prints, paintings and scultpures with Buddhist subjects. His art often shows people or scenes from Tibet. No wonder that his images have a fascinating effect on Western art lovers.

Student of Zhang Minjie

Zhuang Yanjun was a student of master printmaker Zhang Minjie and was admitted for the 17th National Chinese Printmaking Exhibition. His former teacher, Zhang Minjie, and art critics are full of praise for this young artist who has begun to attract the attention of the international art scene.

Education and Training

Mr. Zhuang Yanjun was born in 1981 in Zhangzhou city of Fujian province. He began his art studies with Zhang Minjie (born 1959), a famous Chinese comtemporary printmaker in 2002 at CNAFA (Chinese National Academy of Fine Arts), printmaking department. And from then on he began to show his art talent - in spite of his young age - and has since then attended many national and international art exhibitions.

Exhibition and Awards

From an Exhibition with the Artist
copyright Zhuang Yanjun

• 2002 - Outstanding prize of CNAFA's (Chinese National Academy of Fine Arts) exhibition "Xiangshan Impression", Hangzhou, China.
• 2003 - Solo exhibition in "Second Eye" art studio, Hangzhou, China.
• 2004 - The woodblock print "Floating - Moving" was selected for the 6th International Print Triennial Exhibition, Kochi, Japan. The print was collected by Kochi municipal gallery.
• 2005 - The woodblock print "Living" attended the 17th Print Exhibition of China.
• 2005 - The reduction woodblock print "Abandoning and Getting" was selected for the portefolio "Translation" organized by Boston printmakers of the United States.
• 2006 - Oil paintings, prints and sculptures by Zhuang Yanjun attended the exhibition "Big Vision" in Hangzhou, China.
• 2006 - The print "Belief- Tibetan Buddhism" no.3 and the sketch "Belief" attended the 12th International Print and Sketch Biennial Exhibition, Taiwan.
• 2006 - The "Belief" print series was shown at the 1st Chinese Black-white print Exhibition of the 21th century, Beijing, Chinese gallery.

Statement by Zhuang Yanjun

Breeze Carried off my Smile, 2007
copyright Zhuang Yanjun

The following statement by famous artist Zhang Minjie was slightly edited by artelino

"I was born and grew up in a family with a belief in Buddhism. Probably for this reason I am infatuated with mysterious religious art. Due to the special care of a monk and his profound knowledge I discovered the "Book of Changes". Since then the theory of Buddhism has become my target. It was perhaps because I am amazed by folk customs of Tibet and the people's deep belief in their religion, why I reconsidered my attitude of my life. Too many possibilities changed my life."

"Recently, I made several series of wood prints: The "Belief - Tibetan Buddhism" series, the "Book of Changes - The Eight Diagrams" series, and the "Might Be - Face" series. Although they have been shown with different styles, they are my true expression of my life attitude in different periods. I am eager to grasp every minute, and show them to the audiences through different ways, let them watch and understand."

"I think artists should be philosophers at sometime. They should generalize their attitude of life in different periods in their arts, and have resonance with every audience. This is the meaning of the existence of my art."

Zhang Minjie about Zhuang Yanjun

Belief - Tibetan Buddhism No. 4
copyright Zhuang Yanjun

The following statement by famous artist Zhang Minjie was slightly edited by artelino

"Four years ago, we knew, he was student and I was his teacher. After four years, the society would be his teacher. Climbing the mountains is very laborious. When we encounter steep mountains, should we stop or climb? If we go, we can posssibly have the advantage of great views and lofty feelings."

"We can say that Mr.Zhuang may be an art hero. Under what kind of conditions has he ascended during four years? Take a look at his "Belief" series: I saw what he felt and thought, and I saw the difficulties on his back. At the crossing point of your life you have to make a choice that defines your further way into the future. Heros choose the peak." I trust Zhuang's choice."

Author: Dieter Wanczura
(June 2007, updated October 2009)

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