SHENZHEN, March 2 -- Zhao Xiaoyong was once called "China's Van Gogh," as the farmer turned oil painter made over 100,000 replicas of Van Gogh's work over the past 20 years.
However, he never saw a single authentic piece of the Dutch post-impressionist painter until 2017 when he finally saved enough for a trip to the Netherlands.
The trip inspired him to think over his business and create his own works. "The masterpieces that I saw at the European museums made me realize that I have to develop my own style."
Zhao is from Dafen, a village known for oil paintings in southern China's Shenzhen City. Home to 1,200 studios and 8,000 painters, the village produces millions of replicas of Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso that are sold at home and abroad. According to statistics, 80 percent of oil paintings exported from China come from Dafen.
While the market demand for replicas is shrinking, Zhao and other painters in the village are creating their own art styles and attracting tourists.
Neighboring Hong Kong, Shenzhen is one of China's first special economic zones for the country's reform and opening drive. The painting industry started in Dafen Village in 1989 when Hong Kong purchasers sought to establish an oil painting base nearby.
Zhao, who quit his job at a craft factory, started learning how to paint from scratch in 1996. He imitated Van Gogh's works via a painting album, including "sunflowers" and "almond blossoms."
【国内英语资讯:Across China: From imitation to creation, Chinese village paints new life】相关文章:
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