Craft paintings by Dong ethnic painter Zhang Guoxiong

Craft paintings by Dong ethnic painter Zhang Guoxiong

　　Dong ethnic painter Zhang Guoxiong was born into a family of dyers in Qiancheng Town, Hongjiang City—a scenic spot in southern Chu. Through exploration, he applied the principle of oil-water separation and, based on traditional folk dyeing techniques, created a new type of painting and calligraphy decoration craft. This was hailed by the renowned calligrapher and painter Zhao Puchu as "a pioneering innovation that carries on ancient traditions—truly the first of its kind." His artworks integrate the textural craftsmanship of arts and crafts with the splashed-ink techniques of painting and calligraphy, characterized by boldness, subtlety, depth, intensity, gracefulness, and grandeur. Experts from across the province and beyond have appraised his works and given them high praise. His pieces were displayed at the Beijing Science and Technology Achievements Exhibition. His disciples are spread across Hunan and beyond, and his works have crossed oceans to be collected by friends in many countries.