As the autumn breeze picks up, we find ourselves at the Farmers’ Painting Gallery in Lengleng Bay, Shengfeng Village, part of Yochegang Town in the Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Here, we meet Jiang Mengyao, a seventh-grade student intently focused on her artwork, her brush gliding gracefully across the canvas.
Next to her, we meet her teacher, Wu Haimei, who proudly showcases the remarkable works of her predecessor, Miao Huixin. In this moment, the artistic wisdom and skills of three generations are beautifully represented, continuing the rich legacy of farmers’ paintings.
“Xiuzhou farmers’ paintings, which proudly stand among China’s top ten in this genre, blend cultural elements from local farming practices, textiles, and folklore. We draw inspiration from various folk arts such as stove paintings, blue-printed fabrics, paper-cutting, and embroidery—using exaggerated forms and decorative styles,” Wu explains.
Miao Huixin, a trailblazer in Xiuzhou’s farmers’ painting scene, reflects on his deep connection to this art form, sharing, “Born and raised as a farmer, I also worked as a private teacher in my village. My passion for painting has always burned bright. For me, farmers’ paintings are like close friends; they allow me to express myself.”
He recalls the pivotal moment in the 1980s when the local culture center organized training for over 100 aspiring painters, where he was one of the participants. “In 1983, China hosted its first ‘Farmers’ Painting Exhibition.’ To my surprise, I, along with eight other rural youths from Xiuzhou, won a national first prize and two first prizes from Zhejiang Province.”
Quickly, Miao rose to prominence in the painting world. “What amazed me the most was in 1998 when TIME magazine (Asia edition) conducted a poll for ‘Asia’s Top Ten Artists.’ I found myself listed alongside international icons like Zhang Yimou and Jackie Chan,” he proudly recounts.
With Miao’s rise in fame, Shengfeng Village transformed into a central hub for fostering a water-based artistic community enriched in Jiangnan culture, largely due to the growing popularity of farmers’ paintings.
In recent years, Wu Haimei, a new generation farmer-painter, has illustrated the evolution of her village’s “beautiful economy” through her works. “I started learning farmers’ painting in 2017. During a training session at the culture center, I was captivated by the bold colors and free-spirited nature of farmers’ paintings, which inspired me to delve deeper into the craft,” Wu reflects. Just six months after starting, she earned a national award at the first-ever ‘Twenty-Four Solar Terms’ national farmers’ painting exhibition.
Inspiration flows from the rich landscapes around her—from rice paddies to mountains and aquatic life. With guidance from her predecessors, Wu has charted her own artistic course by forming the ‘Jiuguniang’ and ‘Lengleng Bay Four Sisters’ farmers’ painting teams and establishing the first personal workshop for young farmers’ painters in Yochegang Town.
“Farmers’ paintings capture more than just rural scenes. They are vessels of emotion—expressing deep nostalgia, an abiding love for home, and cherished memories tied to the land,” Wu elaborates.
Looking ahead to 2024, we see a new wave of talent emerging in the Xiuzhou farmers’ painting community, exemplified by Jiang Mengyao, a girl born after 2010. She has harbored a passion for painting from a young age. “The barrier to entry for farmers’ painting isn’t high, but its depth is boundless. Once you pick up the brush, you can express yourself however you wish,” Jiang shares, boldly experimenting with vibrant colors to convey her emotions.
However, she acknowledges that many of her peers consider farmers’ painting to be unfamiliar. “To gain wider recognition, we should integrate farmers’ painting into daily life,” she proposes, suggesting initiatives like workshops for children and seniors to help raise awareness of this art form.
Currently, the tradition of farmers’ painting is being passed down through generations, weaving tales of creativity and heritage as the essence of nostalgia finds its rightful home.
“I believe incorporating AI elements could make farmers’ painting even more captivating,” Jiang expresses with excitement, sharing her hope to merge this art form with modern technology to infuse it with new life.
