Farmers' paintings from Shanghai capture audience in the Netherlands

An exhibition of paintings by Chinese farmer-artists has been captivating the audience in The Hague, Netherlands, since it opened on Sept 12.

The exhibition, titled Moon Shining Over the Sea, showcases 32 paintings by farmers of Shanghai's Jinshan district. The artworks won the hearts of the local audience with their bright colors and rustic style, illustrating the daily lives and aspirations of Chinese people.

The exhibition is hosted at the China Cultural Center Den Haag (The Hague) as part of the "Amazing Shanghai", a series of exhibitions hosted to promote international exchange between Shanghai and the rest of the world.

Jinshan district of Shanghai is home to a village where many farmers have been practicing painting for decades.

Back in the 1970s, in response to the country's call for urban educated youths to go to the countryside for re-education, the village welcomed a few professional painters, who taught local farmers painting skills.

The local farmers' works have since developed their own artistic style, which is typically colorful and depicts a wide range of subjects, from landscapes of local water towns to family gatherings to distinctive elements of Chinese culture and tradition.

Blending elements of traditional Chinese folk arts like paper-cutting and embroidery with a modern aesthetic, they are often referred to as "Eastern Picasso" art.

Since 2018, the exhibition series have been held in cities including Kyoto, Osaka, and Sydney, becoming a signature event for promoting Shanghai overseas.

During the opening, Qiu Jianguo, a farmer painter from Jinshan, said: "I hope this exhibition conveys not only the charm of Shanghai's folk art but also our best wishes for cultural exchange between China and the Netherlands."

The exhibition will run until Sept 17.