Liu Wenying

When the monumental folk painting Fujian’s Jubilant Song (3.23m × 2.51m) debuted at China’s inaugural Rural Art Exhibition, its crimson hues and dynamic scenes—from ancient Tulou buildings to lion dances—captured the essence of Fujian’s spirit. Created by seven artists from Zhangping, this work symbolizes the revival of a 400-year-old tradition nearly lost to urbanization. Wu Yuhuan (吴玉环), a master painter, describes the style: "Bold colors, whimsical figures, and auspicious themes that radiate sincerity." Once fading, Zhangping’s folk art now thrives through innovation and community effort. Roots in Resilience Zhangping’s painting legacy began in Xin’qiao Township during the Ming-Qing transition. Local artisans blended folk customs with daily life observations, developing a distinct aesthetic recognized as Fujian’s intangible cultural heritage. By the 1980s, "The Zhangping Phenomenon" emerged—a golden era where artists won national awards for works bursting with rural vitality. Yet by the 2000s, economic pressures drove painters toward commercial replica art. Chen Yongfeng (陈永凤), director of Zhangping Art Museum, recalls, "The exodus left villages silent. We feared the tradition would vanish." The 2010 founding of Zhangping Folk Painting Academy reversed this decline. Veteran artists like Wu Yuhuan and Liu Wenying (刘文英) led free workshops, attracting teachers, farmers, and artisans. Lan Yanping,…