Chen Zilin 陳子林

Chen Zilin (陳子林), born in 1927 and known by the art name Yicaotang Zhuren（一草堂主人），was born in Qian County, Shaanxi. In his early years, he was educated under the tutelage of Feng Youshi, a renowned traditional Chinese painter from Xi'an, laying a solid foundation in traditional Chinese painting. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, he joined the army, working in propaganda and art editing. In 1954, he was admitted to the Northwest Art Vocational School (the precursor to Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts), where he remained to teach after graduation and joined the newly established Chinese Painting Department under Feng Youshi. Due to national policy adjustments, he was "streamlined" in 1962, participated in "social education," and later worked at the Mei County Cultural Center. During the Cultural Revolution, he was falsely accused and subjected to severe torture. After the end of the Cultural Revolution, he was reassigned back to Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in 1980, teaching in the Teacher Education Department. In 1981, he went to Dunhuang to copy murals for a year, producing over 300 drafts, which were highly acclaimed. However, feeling that his work was still lacking, he decisively shifted focus to large freehand flower and bird paintings, aiming to break new ground. His bold and uninhibited brushwork, coupled with the expressive use of ink, was both shocking and awe-inspiring to viewers. Yet, reflecting on the art of ancient sages, he felt inferior and considered his style too unrestrained. In the 1990s, he devoted himself again to refining his brushwork and ink usage, striving for a more resonant and poetic style. Over more than a decade, his style underwent significant changes. In his later years, his skills further matured, leading to lively, fresh, and natural works. As his artistic cultivation deepened over time, his paintings increasingly approached excellence. His artworks have been widely praised and are considered highly collectible.