Zhou Jinhua was born in Deyang, Sichuan in 1978, and graduated from the Department of Oil Painting at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2002.
Zhou analyses the diverse facades and changes of Chinese society through his art. He observes the sometimes shocking, sometimes ironic scenarios of contemporary life, which are hidden just under the surface of his canvas. Inspired by traditional Chinese landscape painting, the artist depicts his observations by using a bird's eye perspective. To Zhou, it is only from a certain spatial distance can social circumstances and actions become understandable. His early works focused mainly on scenery, with the juxtaposition of grand scenes and ordinary individuals serving as typical symbols in his works. The exaggerated contrasts were full of theatricality, providing a true portrayal of the modern individual within the context of contemporary society. In his later works, Zhou gradually incorporated metaphorical elements that were related to the socio-political and economic environment of the time. These works also hinted at the artist's personal inner monologue about the surrounding world. While these works may have been inspired by specific news events, to the artist, each scene he paints feels familiar and universal, and the small individuals within his art could be Zhou himself or any person in modern society.
Created By
Zhou Jinhua
