Bian Yunkai is busy making a woodblock painting. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Two pieces by Bian Yunkai, a 26-year-old woodblock painter in Qidong, Nantong, have been showcased at national exhibitions.

One of the pieces, portraying a fishing town before nightfall, is on display at the National Art Museum of China, while another, depicting a group of yak walking through a vast field of snow, is displayed at the National Ethnic Minorities Art Exhibition and collected by the Cultural Palace of Nationalities.

A woodblock painting depicting a group of yak walking through a vast field of snow is displayed at the National Ethnic Minorities Art Exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

"My inspiration for the fishing town work came from a field survey at Lyusi fishing port," said Bian. "The picture of fishermen busy braiding fishing nets with a serene fishing town behind them lingered in my mind, so I decided to recreate it through woodblock painting."

Born in Yancheng, Bian came to the Qidong Woodblock Painting Academy in 2021 after graduating from the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts and has become a member of the Jiangsu Young Artists Association since then.

Woodblock paintings by Bian Yunkai. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Nature is the theme of Bian's creations and he usually uses color and light to create a sense of a long-gone past.

In addition to the national exhibition, many of his works have been displayed at provincial and municipal exhibitions, making him optimistic about his future success.

Bian said that he will create more woodblock paintings to show the unique customs and landscapes of Qidong.