Zhou Zhen

    I was born in a common worker's family in Shanghai. Due to being deaf since childhood, I "fell" into the "silent world", and could only attend a school for the deaf and mute. Because of losing the ability to communicate with others through language, I faced obstacles in learning and communication, thus experiencing much more difficulty than normal people in all aspects.      Although I cannot hear sounds and cannot speak, my interest in learning is no less than that of normal people. Especially my love for painting.      I remember during my primary school years at the school for the deaf, Mr. You Jingguo, our art teacher, was very kind to us students. He wanted us to master painting skills. He taught us during the day and gave us free private lessons in the evening, which he continued for several years, greatly influencing my progress in painting and laying a certain foundation in painting.      Under the patient guidance and careful instruction of Mr. You, the art teacher at the school for the deaf, I joined the Shanghai Art Evening School in 1986, where I studied Chinese painting and sketching. In 1990, my two Chinese paintings "Crab", "Eagle" and "Mandarin Ducks" were sent by the teacher to participate in the Shanghai Amateur Art Exhibition and won an award. After starting work, I had to focus on making a living and put down my brush, but I never abandoned my love for painting. In 2016, I joined the art design (painting class) at the Xuhui District Evening University in Shanghai, continuing to further my studies in colored pencil painting.      Although I am a person with a disability, I would like to join the Calligraphers and Painters Alliance and become a member. Although I don't have many works preserved, relying on my strong interest and passion for calligraphy and painting, if I can become a member, I will have more teachers and role models, which will be infinitely helpful in improving my painting skills.