Sea landscapes glimmer in Zhang's paintings

Zhang Chongqing's work. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Oil painter Zhang Chongqing, 85, born and raised in the scenic coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province, zooms in on the diversity of sea landscapes in his works.

Under his brushes, Zhang creates a poetic fantasy world that is consisted of glimmering waves, tranquil bays and ports, friendly villagers and fishers and colorful sailing boats.

Sailor's Blue Song, an exhibition now in Beijing, reviews Zhang's career spanning several decades and his intimacy with sea.

On show are some 200 oil paintings, sketches and drawings. The exhibition runs at the capital's National Art Museum of China until Oct 9.

Zhang graduated from Beijing's Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1953. He studied under the instruction of famed painters such as Xu Beihong, Dong Xiwen and Dai Ze.

He later taught at the Central Academy of Drama. He furthered to improve painting skills at the alma mater from 1961 to 1962. His mentor during the time was Dong Xiwen and he sticks to Dong’s motto that, "The nationalization of oil painting is not only something about technique, it is also about an artist’s understanding of his people and time."