Zhoushan fishermen's painting Jin Se Nian Hua is created by Yu Zhoubo. [Photo/Tide News]

The Zhoushan Fishermen's Painting Art (1983–2024) Literature and Works Exhibition will open on June 26 at the Zhejiang Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, offering a comprehensive look at over four decades of artistic expression rooted in the coastal life of Zhoushan, Zhejiang.

This exhibition presents the evolution of Zhoushan fishermen's paintings — a form of grassroots visual art that has captured daily life, seafaring traditions, and cultural identity. From early works in the 1980s to contemporary interpretations, the display highlights how artists have drawn inspiration from their surroundings, bridging folk customs with modern storytelling.

The exhibition is framed as both a retrospective and a study in regional art development. According to Wang Minjie, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Zhejiang Artists Association, the fishermen's paintings represent more than creative output — they are a reflection of local life, values, and emotional connection to the land and sea.

Wang Xuefeng, director of the Department of Folk Art at the National Art Museum of China, emphasized that the vibrant, emotionally charged artwork is both a personal and collective reflection of maritime resilience.

He noted that the exhibition marks a timely reflection on the forty-year journey of Zhoushan fishermen's paintings, offering insights valuable to the broader narrative of Chinese folk art.