Chong-Xiao ZHENG
Taiwan
Chong-Xiao ZHENG’s creative philosophy integrates humor, environmental awareness, and social concern. He combines his self-image with cartoon characters to create the "Pouting Boy." He merges traditional art with contemporary cartoon aesthetics by reinterpreting traditional Chinese landscape paintings and Western classic masterpieces. Through this approach, he reflects on environmental protection, ecological conservation, and energy crises, aiming to inspire reflection and emotional resonance in his audience.
In 2014, after seeing Fan Kuan's Travelers Among Mountains and Streams at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Chong-Xiao felt a responsibility to carry forward the aesthetic experiences of the past, allowing younger generations to resonate with ancient paintings. This sense of duty led him to begin a project of recreating ancient landscapes. The launch of this historical masterpiece reproduction project marked the beginning of Zheng Chongxiao's recognition in the art world and solidified his creative path of exploring perspectives in art history.
One of the core themes of Zheng's work is how to engage with historical narratives as a form of "presence." The "Pouting Boy" in his work serves as a representation of Chong-Xiao himself. Through the involvement of this symbolic figure, the scenes from different eras and the meanings of the original texts are transformed, creating a new dialogue with the world. As the "Pouting Boy" appears in various settings, he becomes a vessel of time, traversing boundaries that the physical body cannot reach.