The predecessor of modern folk painting in Mayang County is farmer painting, which originated in the 1950s and 1960s. It was created in response to the scene of bump harvests and patriotic revolution. After years of numerous improvement, it has gradually formed a modern folk painting in Mayang that is embedded in Chu culture, Mayang Miao culture, Panhu culture, and Nuo culture, sparkling the contemporary life.

(Xiangxi Lantern)

Modern folk painting is developed from folk art. It combines Xiangxi Miao embroidery, cross stitch, batik, printing, paper cuttings, sculpture, woodblock lithograph, original art, children’s painting, etc. Its shape, color, composition rules, and expression techniques all retain the unique aesthetic implication of folk painters, which is simple and pure, full of innocent charm and mystery. It has entered the art world with its rich Miao folk characteristics, regional atmosphere, contemporary life, and unique modern folk painting style.

(The Painting of Miao and Han Drunkard)

In recent years, Mayang has exhibited more than 350 works at home and abroad, published 16 works in UNESCO publications, and collected 26 works by the China Art Museum and the China Folk Art Museum. In 1988, the Ministry of Culture hailed Mayang as the “Land of Modern Chinese Folk Painting”, and in 2008, it was acclaimed as the “Land of Chinese Folk Culture and Art (Painting)”.

(Translated by Tian Xia)