A person appreciates the artworks by Qiu Feng at Nantong Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong Museum in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province recently offered an art exhibition to commemorate the centenary of Qiu Feng, an artist born in Nantong.

Qiu worked in a wide range of art practices, including traditional Chinese painting, oil painting, woodblock painting, sculpture, local art history, and archaeology.

Painting by Qiu Feng. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

His art influenced numerous art enthusiasts, especially teenagers. Retired teacher Gu Pingsheng recalled that in the 1950s, Nantong's art undertakings took on new life and 13-year-old Gu got to know Qiu. Gu said, "The current renowned painters such as Yuan Yunsheng were all influenced by Qiu."

"Qiu called himself a pavestone of the cultural undertakings in Nantong, but I believe that he was not just a pavestone, but also a guide in the development of the local cultural industry," noted Huang Leizhong, a national master of arts and crafts.

Painting by Qiu Feng. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In the 1960s, Qiu was the first person in China to start the investigation of folk arts and crafts. He discovered local cultural treasures of New Year-themed woodblock paintings, embroidery, paper cutting, and lanterns and invited the craftsmen involved to create new artworks.

Qiu also valued history. He compiled the Directories of Calligraphy and Painting Artists in Nantong and due to his efforts the Nantong Textile Museum, Geyi Art Gallery, and other cultural landmark buildings were built in the city.