The inaugural China Folk Painting (Farmer Painting) Exhibition opened at the China Art Museum on June 27, offering visitors an immersive journey into the intangible cultural heritage and rural storytelling encoded in these colorful artworks.

The exhibition showcases 544 selected pieces from over 5,000 submissions, including 38 monumental works specially commissioned from renowned painting villages across China. Organized into four thematic sections - "Cultivation," "Harvest," "Celebration," and "New Horizons" - the display weaves together a dynamic tapestry of countryside life.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by eight giant paintings from different regions, each bursting with distinctive local flavors. The opening piece, ”Jiangnan of Shanghai – Farming Scenes of Xinyuan Polder Fields” by Jinshan artist Chen Huifang, dominates the space at 2.5 meters tall and 3.5 meters wide. This vibrant panorama captures the seasonal rhythms of rural Shanghai, from spring planting to festive gatherings, ecological aquaculture, and traditional handicraft workshops.

"Farmer paintings speak directly to our lives with their bold colors and relatable scenes," remarked a visitor surnamed Fan, echoing the exhibition's accessibility.

Interactive workshops allow attendees to try their hand at creating these artworks under the guidance of inheritors of this intangible cultural heritage.

Complementing the display are more than 30 public programs including curator tours, master lectures, and hands-on activities, all supported by professional volunteers to deepen engagement.

Dates: June 27 – August 24
Hours: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm), closed on Mondays (except holidays)