Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

PICTURE books accompany most children’s growth with rich illustrations, vivid storytelling, and a heartwarming tone. This summer, Shenzhen residents have the opportunity to admire unique illustrations that beautifully blend traditional Chinese folk style with a contemporary twist.

Cai Gao, a distinguished Chinese painter and illustrator, is exhibiting her works at the “Embracing Innocence — The Art of Cai Gao” exhibition at He Xiangning Art Museum. The exhibition features illustrations from four of her picture books — “Bao’er” (formerly known as “The Boy Who Outfoxed a Fox”), “The Double Sixth Festival,” “Blazing City 1938,” and “Hua Mulan” — along with her paintings.

“Bao’er,” which won the Golden Apple Award at the 14th Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava, is adapted from a fox spirit story in Pu Songling’s “Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio” in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Cai employs black backgrounds accented with red and green tones, merging traditional Chinese folk aesthetics with a modern visual language.

Illustrations in “The Double Sixth Festival” draw inspiration from traditional Chinese New Year paintings and clay sculptures, while “Blazing City 1938” utilizes black-and-white sketch styles to depict Cai’s hometown Changsha, Hunan Province, during wartime in 1938.

Most of Cai’s illustrations are rooted in Chinese folk tales, characterized by vivid brushstrokes and bold hues, brimming with childlike joy. These works carry profound cultural significance and convey a unique Eastern appeal through simple yet evocative storytelling.

Regarding her warm and loving childhood as a source of strength in her life, Cai said, “Everything in life is connected to childhood. Art education helps children build self-confidence, pursue self-improvement, and turn challenges into motivation.”

The exhibition also displays Cai’s picture books for visitors to read, with walls and corners decorated with her illustrations, creating an immersive environment that inspires both adults and children. The exhibit encourages visitors to ignite a passion for life through the beauty of art and literature.

At the exhibition opening, Cai shared, “The exhibition curation makes me feel as if I am stepping into my own works and becoming part of the stories.”

Dates: Through July 27

Admission: Free

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (何香凝美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C