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Chen Cong
Chen Cong
Personal Profile
Chen Tong currently resides in Chengdu. He previously studied at the China Calligraphy and Painting Correspondence University and the Chinese Painting Advanced Research Class. In his early years, he was a disciple of renowned painters Huang Chunyao and Li Wenxin, and later learned painting under Mr. Wang Yongnian, a disciple of Zhang Daqian, making him a second-generation student of Zhang Daqian. He is currently a member of the Sichuan Branch of the China Artists Association, a member of the Sichuan Artists Association, a member of the Chengdu Artists Association, a member of the Chengdu Contemporary Gongbi Painting Research Society, a council member of the Jinjiang District Artists Association, a council member of the Chenghua District Artists Association, Vice President of the Chengdu Jinjiang Jinhui Calligraphy and Painting Institute, a council member of the Sichuan Bashu Academy of Art, a researcher at the Sichuan Eastern Zhang Daqian Art Research Center, a member of the Sichuan Famous Personalities Association, a member of the Sichuan Strait两岸Health Promotion Association, and an academician of the Sichuan Caiqin Art Research Institute. He is also a specially invited painter of the Taiwan Art Friendship Association. His works have been officially collected and limited-edition released by China Post, and he has participated numerous times in national-level art competitions, nationwide touring exhibitions, and solo shows. He has been honored with titles such as "Outstanding Contemporary Calligrapher and Painter" and "One of the Hundred Outstanding Chinese Painters of the 21st Century." His artworks are widely admired by people from all walks of life and have been collected by numerous museums, galleries, enterprises, and individuals both domestically and abroad.
"Love life, love existence." In Chen Tong’s understanding, art is the joy of freedom—it is not a career, but merely a way of living. "I enjoy staying in my studio. A blank sheet of paper is immensely important to me—it is the blue sky where I spread my wings, the ocean where I ride the waves, the grassland where I gallop on horseback, and the home where I nurture my spirit. Thus, I feel deeply happy."
On his journey toward art, he has encountered confusion, uncertainty, and moments of despair—but it is precisely through art that he finds spiritual solace. Whenever he paints, he focuses entirely, infusing emotion into every brushstroke, crafting with heart and soul, pouring his deep affection for the mountains and rivers of his homeland and his profound insights into life onto the paper. He captures the lushness and ethereal beauty of Bashan and Shuwater, allowing viewers to feel as though they are immersed within nature itself.
In the early 1990s, Chen Tong moved to Chengdu, the provincial capital, for work, and quickly became aware of Chengdu's rich cultural heritage. In those early days, whenever he took holidays during festivals, he would visit galleries at Cultural Park, Baitan Park, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, and other places, leaving behind his footsteps and身影. By chance, Chen Tong met Mr. Luo Guobin, who became his current mentor and close friend—an artistic guide. Through Mr. Luo’s introduction, Chen Tong received instruction at Hanlin Art College, studying under masters Huang Chunyao and Li Wenxin, and later learning from renowned artists such as Mr. Wang Yongnian, a disciple of Zhang Daqian, significantly elevating his painting skills.
"To paint landscape well, one must begin humbly with the most fundamental techniques." Under the guidance of these masters, Chen Tong thoroughly studied the "Jieziyuan Hua Zhuan" (Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting) and developed a profound understanding of it. "It may appear simple, yet it contains immense depth and richness. Every time I copy from it, I gain new inspiration and fresh insights," Chen Tong says. "I believe the 'Jieziyuan' fundamentally addresses the formal structure of landscape painting. The seemingly simple lines actually imply the internal architecture of mountains and rivers—the hierarchy and density of lines serve the structural composition. Only when you clearly comprehend this inner structure can you apply principles flexibly and spontaneously, achieving a mind filled with landscapes. Only then do you truly enter the realm of landscape painting."
Since then, Chen Tong has diligently studied the styles of the Four Wangs, Ba Da Shan Ren, Shi Tao, and even masterpieces from the Song and Yuan dynasties. "From these classical works, I seek out patterns and principles I can adapt for myself, ensuring my landscape paintings show clear lineage while concealing traces of imitation."
Over the years, while painting, he has consciously and unconsciously incorporated his own feelings—refining techniques for depicting trees, rocks, and houses, and refining composition and qi-yun, striving to develop a personal visual language that expresses a distinct personal style. "For example, my trees derive from the 'Jieziyuan,' but I reorganize them: primarily curved forms with straight lines as supplements; two or three trees interact harmoniously, simplified intentionally to become more symbolic and personalized. The leaves are entirely restructured versions of the 'Jieziyuan' leaf patterns. As for houses, I view them as organic elements within the composition—emphasizing their dynamic form rather than literal detail; height and length need only contrast appropriately. For doors and windows, I employ my own stylistic methods. For rocks and mountains, I adhere to traditional rules, intensifying the 'folded-band texture stroke' in the lower portions and mountain bases, conveying both the material texture and my personal perception."
Over these years, Chen Tong has achieved modest success, yet he firmly believes that learning has no end, and the road ahead remains long, requiring a lifetime of pursuit. "There is still so much I need to accomplish—I must continuously study and enrich myself," Chen Tong says. Everyone dreams of becoming a great artist, but only those who have walked this path know how extraordinarily difficult it is. For most of us, what matters is to remain steadfast in our artistic ideals: "No matter what lies ahead, once you choose the distant horizon, you must press forward through wind and rain."
Confucius said: "The benevolent delight in mountains; the wise delight in water." Chen Tong says he is neither benevolent nor wise, but over ten years of studying landscape painting, his inner self has indeed found peace. "My soul becomes calmer through dialogue with mountains and waters. Standing before nature’s green peaks and clear streams, I feel proud to be a singer of nature. When I express my feelings about nature onto paper with my brush, I experience profound joy and fulfillment." Forming a bond with calligraphy and painting has been a blessing in his life, infusing it with vitality and meaning. "Art has no limit; the road ahead is heavy and long, but I will tread each step with sincerity and determination."
"Love life, love existence." In Chen Tong’s understanding, art is the joy of freedom—it is not a career, but merely a way of living. "I enjoy staying in my studio. A blank sheet of paper is immensely important to me—it is the blue sky where I spread my wings, the ocean where I ride the waves, the grassland where I gallop on horseback, and the home where I nurture my spirit. Thus, I feel deeply happy."
On his journey toward art, he has encountered confusion, uncertainty, and moments of despair—but it is precisely through art that he finds spiritual solace. Whenever he paints, he focuses entirely, infusing emotion into every brushstroke, crafting with heart and soul, pouring his deep affection for the mountains and rivers of his homeland and his profound insights into life onto the paper. He captures the lushness and ethereal beauty of Bashan and Shuwater, allowing viewers to feel as though they are immersed within nature itself.
In the early 1990s, Chen Tong moved to Chengdu, the provincial capital, for work, and quickly became aware of Chengdu's rich cultural heritage. In those early days, whenever he took holidays during festivals, he would visit galleries at Cultural Park, Baitan Park, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, and other places, leaving behind his footsteps and身影. By chance, Chen Tong met Mr. Luo Guobin, who became his current mentor and close friend—an artistic guide. Through Mr. Luo’s introduction, Chen Tong received instruction at Hanlin Art College, studying under masters Huang Chunyao and Li Wenxin, and later learning from renowned artists such as Mr. Wang Yongnian, a disciple of Zhang Daqian, significantly elevating his painting skills.
"To paint landscape well, one must begin humbly with the most fundamental techniques." Under the guidance of these masters, Chen Tong thoroughly studied the "Jieziyuan Hua Zhuan" (Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting) and developed a profound understanding of it. "It may appear simple, yet it contains immense depth and richness. Every time I copy from it, I gain new inspiration and fresh insights," Chen Tong says. "I believe the 'Jieziyuan' fundamentally addresses the formal structure of landscape painting. The seemingly simple lines actually imply the internal architecture of mountains and rivers—the hierarchy and density of lines serve the structural composition. Only when you clearly comprehend this inner structure can you apply principles flexibly and spontaneously, achieving a mind filled with landscapes. Only then do you truly enter the realm of landscape painting."
Since then, Chen Tong has diligently studied the styles of the Four Wangs, Ba Da Shan Ren, Shi Tao, and even masterpieces from the Song and Yuan dynasties. "From these classical works, I seek out patterns and principles I can adapt for myself, ensuring my landscape paintings show clear lineage while concealing traces of imitation."
Over the years, while painting, he has consciously and unconsciously incorporated his own feelings—refining techniques for depicting trees, rocks, and houses, and refining composition and qi-yun, striving to develop a personal visual language that expresses a distinct personal style. "For example, my trees derive from the 'Jieziyuan,' but I reorganize them: primarily curved forms with straight lines as supplements; two or three trees interact harmoniously, simplified intentionally to become more symbolic and personalized. The leaves are entirely restructured versions of the 'Jieziyuan' leaf patterns. As for houses, I view them as organic elements within the composition—emphasizing their dynamic form rather than literal detail; height and length need only contrast appropriately. For doors and windows, I employ my own stylistic methods. For rocks and mountains, I adhere to traditional rules, intensifying the 'folded-band texture stroke' in the lower portions and mountain bases, conveying both the material texture and my personal perception."
Over these years, Chen Tong has achieved modest success, yet he firmly believes that learning has no end, and the road ahead remains long, requiring a lifetime of pursuit. "There is still so much I need to accomplish—I must continuously study and enrich myself," Chen Tong says. Everyone dreams of becoming a great artist, but only those who have walked this path know how extraordinarily difficult it is. For most of us, what matters is to remain steadfast in our artistic ideals: "No matter what lies ahead, once you choose the distant horizon, you must press forward through wind and rain."
Confucius said: "The benevolent delight in mountains; the wise delight in water." Chen Tong says he is neither benevolent nor wise, but over ten years of studying landscape painting, his inner self has indeed found peace. "My soul becomes calmer through dialogue with mountains and waters. Standing before nature’s green peaks and clear streams, I feel proud to be a singer of nature. When I express my feelings about nature onto paper with my brush, I experience profound joy and fulfillment." Forming a bond with calligraphy and painting has been a blessing in his life, infusing it with vitality and meaning. "Art has no limit; the road ahead is heavy and long, but I will tread each step with sincerity and determination."
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Chen Cong